Mithapur : Cradle of India’s next hockey stars

Tucked away in the heart of Jalandhar’s Mithapur village lies a field where dreams are born — the Mithapur Hockey Academy. Renowned for producing world-class talent, including Olympians Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh, this unassuming academy has become a beacon of hope for young athletes eager to follow in their heroes’ footsteps.

Currently, the academy trains around 70 children aged between 10 and 18. Every day, these youngsters step onto the turf with sticks in hand and determination in their hearts, eager to absorb the skills and discipline that have shaped India’s hockey legacy. For them, hockey is not merely a sport — it is a passion inspired by those who once trained on the very same ground.

Kuldeep Singh, one of the key coaches at the academy, has played a pivotal role in nurturing talent since he joined in 2016. Reflecting on the early days of Manpreet Singh — who later captained the Indian national team and led it to historic victories — Kuldeep says, “Manpreet was always focused, even as a kid. He had an energy that made him stand out. Watching him grow into a world-class player has been one of my proudest moments.”

Now, Kuldeep dedicates his time to mentoring the next generation of hockey stars. “I see the same fire in many of these kids,” he says. “Many come from very modest backgrounds, but they arrive with dreams as vast as the sky. Our job is to give them the platform, the training and the belief that they can make it.”

The young players echo this sense of purpose and inspiration. Fourteen-year-old Harnunid Singh says he joined the academy after watching Manpreet play in the Olympics. “He’s from our village. That makes us believe we can do it too,” says Harnunid. “Hockey has given me purpose, and I love every moment I spend here.”

Thirteen-year-old Jashan Sehgal, another promising player, finds the environment both challenging and motivating. “We train hard. The coaches push us and that’s good. I want to play for India one day — just like Manpreet sir and Mandeep sir.”

The academy’s mission extends beyond physical training. It instils discipline, teamwork and resilience in its young players. As the legacy of its celebrated alumni continues to grow, so does the support from the community — with more parents now encouraging their children to pick up the stick and chase their own dreams.

With a legacy built by its star alumni and the tireless dedication of coaches like Kuldeep Singh, Mithapur Hockey Academy remains a powerhouse of talent. In the dusty lanes of Mithapur, hockey is more than just a game — it’s a dream pursued with every swing of the stick and every drop of sweat on the field.