Haryana hockey player Manpreet Kaur eyeing India debut during Tokyo Olympics

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 2

Manpreet Kaur, who has been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Bengaluru as a part of the women’s senior core probable group, is eyeing to make her debut for India at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

“Debut for the senior national team at a dream event like the Olympics… it is like a fairytale. I mean, it will be a different feeling altogether, but I want to keep my feet on the ground and continue working hard,” said Manpreet, who hails from Shahbad.

The Haryana girl said though the selection was not in her hands, she wanted to make every day of her training count.

“Team selection is not in my hand, but I would say this phase is really exciting. We all are pumped up and just working hard, making each and every day count in the training.”

Having represented the junior team, the 22-year-old defender earned her maiden call-up for the senior group in January last year.

“It’s been a great experience so far with the senior team. Things are very different to what I experienced when I was with the junior team. From training to diet to fitness, everything is on a different level here, and you need to adapt to it as quickly as possible,” she said.

Manpreet was a part of India’s recent tour to Argentina. It was her maiden international outing with the senior national team.

Manpreet is a product of famous Shahabad Hockey Academy, which has produced the likes of Indian women’s team skipper Rani Rampal and experienced forwards Navjot Kaur and Navneet Kaur.

“She (Rani) is my biggest inspiration, and it’s a special feeling to spend time with her at the camp. She guides young players like me in the right direction, and she is the biggest motivator in the team,” said Manpreet.