Captain Manpreet Singh believes that he has been the ‘keeper’ of the Indian hockey group’s fortunes on innumerable events and the presence of PR Sreejesh below the bar is a confidence booster.
The Indian hockey group is being thought of as severe medal contender and one of many main causes for that is the presence of a flamboyant Kerala mentor.
“He (Sreejesh) retains motivating me…he offers me confidence and the group too. In truth, all of us consider we’ve Sreejesh within the goal,” Manpreet mentioned throughout the Tokyo sure squad’s digital media interplay.
While COVID-19 disadvantaged him of high quality taking part in time to avoid wasting the tour of Argentina over the previous 12 months, Manpreet feels that having the core group the identical for years is a bonus in his greatest occasion happening.
“In truth, within the final three-four years, we’ve had the identical group. The strikers are skilled. They are doing effectively, so that they have been chosen. Our striker line will play an necessary function and rating objectives.”
For Manpreet, that is his third Olympics and for a lot of others, it’s the second tie within the quadrennial extravaganza that has enabled the group to carry out so effectively.
“It’s my third Olympics. It’s an awesome honor if you find yourself representing your nation in Olympics. Also I’m actually excited as a captain. We have Harmanpreet (Singh), Birender Lakra, Rupinderpal and many others. We have such an skilled group. We are all excited for the Olympics.
Despite the Olympics being postponed final 12 months, the Covid-19 enforced break didn’t dampen their spirits.
“We have been doing effectively in the previous few years. At the start of 2020, we have been taking part in effectively, we beat good groups. Unfortunately, COVID-19 occurred, there was a lockdown and we have been in Bengaluru.
“We were training (in Bengaluru) and the Olympics got cancelled. We decided that we have to take it positively. How to work on your game and keep improving…,” Manpreet mentioned.
Birender Lakra, who missed the Rio Olympics, was excited in regards to the upcoming Tokyo Games and could be very pleased with the camaraderie shared by the group.
“Yeah..I missed the final Olympics because of damage. I used to be provided an opportunity within the six nation match in Spain earlier than Rio (Olympics) however I used to be not as match as I ought to have been.
“After that I labored laborious to return again. Everyone helped me from the teaching workers to the teammates. He made positive I did not really feel alone. It took me time to work my approach again. “
Having Harmanpreet Singh, one of many vice-captains, Lakra is able to tackle the extra duty as a senior participant.
“There is loads of duty. There are senior gamers… there are skilled gamers too. In the final Olympics additionally, the group’s efficiency was good. You will need to have seen that within the final one 12 months (the group’s) efficiency has been good.
“There was unrest due to COVID, however, we have trained in Bengaluru. The players have kept themselves motivated though we have not been able to play many matches due to the Covid restrictions,” he mentioned.
Defender Harmanpreet, who shall be competing in her second Olympics, mentioned there’ll now be a much bigger duty as Manpreet’s deputy, including that she has discovered so much and the understanding was higher.
“In 2016, there was not a lot strain as I used to be a teen. Were skilled gamers.. I discovered from them. Now, I’m skilled, now there are obligations and understanding is healthier.
Asked in regards to the potential benefit for Asian groups in Tokyo with regard to the climate situations, he mentioned the group is coaching maintaining that in thoughts.
“We are practicing in the afternoon. We are training keeping in mind the weather conditions and the intensity required.”
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
