Get, set, go(ld): Harmanpreet Singh on bringing India to the forefront of hockey

The Olympics are the highest point of athletic achievement and a global celebration of sportsmanship, bringing together the world's finest athletes every four years. Among the myriad of sports that pervade the mainstream, hockey stands out with its fast-paced action, strategic gameplay, and rich history. In India, hockey holds a legacy that has produced legends and fostered a deep sense of national pride.

As the Indian men's hockey team prepares for the upcoming Olympics, all eyes are on their captain, Harmanpreet Singh. A stalwart in the team, he has not only led by example on the field but has also emerged as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the nation. In conversation with Cosmo India, Singh discusses his passion for hockey, the challenges of being a player and a leader, and the thrill of representing India on the grandest stage of all.

Cosmopolitan India: Why did you choose hockey and how has the journey been so far?

Harmanpreet Singh: I was interested in every sport. I had tried my hand at volleyball, football, and athletics. At school, we had the chance to play hockey and a coach asked me one day to try it. That’s how my journey began. It’s been great so far. I have been playing with the senior national hockey team for nine years now. I think the sport has taught me so much about life itself; it’s taught me how to make a comeback from the lowest of lows and I am grateful for the experiences I’ve had.

C: What has been your process in achieving peak performance, mentally, both as a player and a captain?

HS: I think mental preparation and strength is extremely important in any sport. When you start, you don’t know too much but as you play more, you begin to understand what you really have to focus on. As a captain, you also learn about how to navigate through tough team situations, or how to stay calm during a high-pressure game. It is about being there and showing up for the team. You need to be there for someone if they’re having a problem on the field or off it. I keep reminding myself to put my best foot forward, because there’s so much at stake.

C: In your experience, is passion enough to show up every day? If not, how do you remain consistent?

HS: Well, monotony does set in. Currently, we have a rigorous training period going on. The body gets tired. But, we have a much larger, common goal—to train for the Olympics and win a gold. That’s the reminder when you feel like giving up. On the days we’re not motivated enough or we don’t feel like playing, we still do. But, we bring in a few changes to our routine. We listen to music; break the routine; and play cricket or football or indulge in other team activities for fun.

C: How do you deal with failure?

HS: Winning and losing are both part of the game. Even when we win, we try to see how we can improve and the same thing happens when we lose. The approach doesn’t change. We analyse our game and see in what ways we can be better at—both individually and collectively. As a captain, I have to ensure that we don’t overthink the result. We discuss everything openly. Everyone is free to share what they feel about the match—if a certain game didn’t go as expected—and we resolve it together.

C: When you win, what is the first thing you do?

HS: We don’t really celebrate. Of course, we cheer each other on. But honestly, we’re getting ready for the next match. We want to be calm and composed because our schedule is hectic with back-to-back matches. So, it is important to be grounded and focused.

 

C: What has been the most difficult challenge to overcome?

HS: The World Cup (the team lost the crossover against New Zealand in 2023). The way we overcame it? As a team. That’s how it works. No one was speaking negatively after we lost that day. We win as a team and lose as a team. No one blames a player for their performance. But that was the hardest one to overcome and the comeback was tough. 

C: What has been the best advice you have ever received?

HS: Don’t give up, simple. Irrespective of your age, your circumstance, or anything else. Every phase of life comes with a different experience and a new learning. Sometimes it’ll be easy. At other times it will be hard. Don’t ever give up.

C: How do you deal with pre-game jitters as a team?

HS: The routine is to listen to music and try to get in the zone. As a team, we revisit the strategies we have discussed before and remind each other to apply them.

C: You’ve played at the Olympics before. Does the feeling after your qualification ever change?

HS: It is always a good feeling. Our matches had gone well this time. Back in 2018, we didn’t qualify immediately for Tokyo, and we had to play a few rounds before we qualified. So, that was tough. But, the mindset has always been to qualify smoothly, with an aim to win a medal at the Olympics. We didn’t have a lot of time to celebrate and we knew that the journey was not over.

C: What has been your proudest moment yet?

HS: I think winning at the Olympics in 2020 (India won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics). Every hockey player dreams of playing and winning at the Olympics. It is definitely the biggest achievement of my career so far. And that’s the goal even now—to win as much as we can.

This interview is part of a series that appeared in the May-June 2024 edition of Cosmopolitan India. 

Lead Image Credit: Hockey India

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