Hockey India Names Manpreet Singh as Captain of Men’s Hockey Team for Tokyo 2020

New Delhi: Hockey India today named midfielder Manpreet Singh as the Captain of the 16-member Olympic-bound Indian Men’s Hockey Team.

For the Vice Captain’s role, Hockey India has chosen experienced defenders Birendra Lakra and Harmanpreet Singh who are also part of the team’s leadership group.

Under Manpreet’s Captaincy, the Indian team over the past four years have achieved important milestones including winning the Asia Cup in 2017, winning the Asian Champions Trophy in 2018 as well winning the FIH Series Final in 2019. The team led by Manpreet Singh also made it to the quarterfinals of the FIH Men’s World Cup 2018 in Bhubaneswar. They performed exceedingly well in the FIH Hockey Pro League 2020 before the pandemic disrupted the schedule. This will be Manpreet’s third Olympic Games and under his leadership, the team has also improved their world ranking as they are currently positioned at No.4.

Birendra, on the other hand, is a veteran defender who was also part of the London Olympic Games but sadly missed playing in Rio owing to a major knee surgery in 2016. But since his return to the squad following the brief break due to injury, Birendra has only grown in his performance and has been resolute in his role in the team.

Meanwhile, Harmanpreet Singh since his Senior India debut in 2015 has grown in his role as a dragflicker and defender. In the absence of Skipper Manpreet in 2019, Harmanpreet led the Indian team to a win at the FIH Olympic Test event in Tokyo.

India will begin their campaign in Tokyo on 24 July 2021 when they take on New Zealand in their first Pool stage match.