'He loves playing for the nation,' says Manpreet Singh's wife Illi Saddique

Manpreet Singh is one of the most experienced players in the Indian men’s hockey squad.

In the latest episode of “Hockey Te Charcha, Familia” – a unique series launched by Hockey India ahead of the Olympic Games, Manpreet Singh’s wife Illi Saddique pulled back the curtain on the life of the charismatic midfielder, delving into the highs and lows of his career.

With 370 appearances for India, Manpreet Singh is a veteran in the sport. Illi, the region head of the South Asia market for one of the top universities in Malaysia, is also a mother to their 2-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Jasmine Kaur Powar.

Last year, the Indian Men’s Hockey Team won gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games, securing automatic qualification for the Paris Olympics 2024, marking Manpreet’s fourth appearance in this prestigious competition.

“Delighted. We are super proud, super excited, and super stoked to see him play his fourth Olympics. Seeing him do what he loves and what he is meant to do makes the family very happy and delighted.

“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. But he keeps proving himself, and he loves playing for the nation,” Illi commented on Manpreet’s achievement.

In 2016, Manpreet Singh lost his father while playing in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. He flew back to attend the funeral. “I was in Indonesia a day before the incident happened. We talked to his father, and he said he was excited to see Manpreet Singh play and wanted his son to win the competition.

“When we broke the news to Manpreet Singh, he was devastated and unsure of what to do. He said, ‘I don’t think I should go back. The team needs me. This is what my father wanted from me; I shouldn’t leave them,’” Illi revealed.

“I advised him to take a day and settle things at home. When we reached his home, there wasn’t a single tear from his eyes when he saw his father’s body. And 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.’” Manpreet Singh returned to join the team and played the next match against Canada, which India won 3-1.

The 32-year-old has been instrumental in India’s rise in hockey over the past decade. He was part of the 2014 Asian Games Gold and the Asian Champions Trophy Silver in 2016 and 2017.

He led the Indian team to an Asia Cup victory in 2017 and, most significantly, led the Indian men’s hockey team to a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

“At that time, we were already married, and I was back in Malaysia due to COVID. 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.

Also Read: Paris Olympics 2024: Manpreet Singh ‘excited’ to represent India for fourth time

“It was such an emotional moment. Everyone found out we were expecting, and they thought the pregnancy was a lucky charm for him,” Illi said.

“As his wife, I was super proud that he gave his everything. 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 with him bringing back the bronze medal under his captaincy. It was a proud, emotional moment, something we will never forget,” she added.

In the lead-up to the Paris Olympics 2024, the Indian men’s hockey team has left no stone unturned in their endeavor to better their performance from last time.

“We are looking forward to being there for the Olympics. My expectation aligns with the team; I want to see the medal change colors, and I want to see the tricolor at the center and sing the national anthem proudly for the country,” Illi signed off.

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