"His fourth Olympics is something we never imagined" - Manpreet Singh's wife delighted to see him vie for medals
In the latest episode of 'Hockey Te Charcha, Familia', a series collated by Hockey India before the Paris Olympics 2024, Illi Najwa Saddique, wife of former Indian men's hockey skipper Manpreet Singh, shared how her husband had come through it all emotionally.
She excitedly talked about his participation in his fourth Olympics and discussed the ups and downs along with praising his success and perseverance.
Manpreet Singh, a versatile halfback, has been one of the mainstays in the country's field hockey since making his debut in 2011. The 32-year-old has led the side by example since guiding the team to a historic bronze medal at Tokyo Olympics 2020. He has also been part of two Olympics (2012 and 2016) and has an Asian Games Gold under his belt during the same year.
Interestingly, the Indian Men's Hockey Team also secured a direct ticket to the Paris Olympics after winning gold at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games. With this accomplishment, he will make his fourth Olympic appearance. Illi was elated and proud to continue watching Manpreet Singh excel in the sport, now ten-fold. She was quoted as saying by Hockey India:
“When I speak to his mother, we always say that the journey from playing his first game, his first tournament, to going on to play his fourth Olympics is something we never imagined.”
However, like all careers, Manpreet Singh's too had its share of trials off the field. In 2016, playing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, he lost his father. However, he was back on the field after attending the funeral and played a role in India's 3-1 victory over Canada.
“I advised him to take a day and settle things at home. When we sat next to his father's body, he said, 'I have come to see you off and I'm going to keep making you proud no matter what. I'm going back. My team needs me," Illi said.
Manpreet Singh's wife has been with him through thick and thin
Illi was overjoyed after witnessing Manpreet Singh play skillfully and help India win bronze at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
“I was pregnant, but no one knew about it. I was in a meeting during the match, and the moment they won, I dropped my meetings and began cheering, calling everyone. Everyone found out we were expecting and they thought the pregnancy was a lucky charm for him,” Illi said.
His enthusiastic and dedicated nature paid off in the form of a bronze medal for India. Manpreet even limited his communication and minimized social media interaction throughout the Olympics.
“I remember he restricted his communication with us. He switched off his phone and social media to focus entirely on the Olympics, and it all paid off," she said.
With the Paris 2024 Olympics being his next big target as India vies for glory on yet another world stage, Illi wishes to see him line up with a different-color medal in hand, having heard that national anthem play again with pride. She concluded:
“I want to see the medal change colours, and I want to see the tricolour at the centre and sing the national anthem proudly for the country.''