Even as Hockey India announced his name for the top job today in an impressive function, where the jerseys of players were given away, Manpreet was in his usual best, brimming with confidence, and interacting without tired or remorse.
Addressing the media after team announcement, he oozes confidence when says his team is ready to face Holland in their first encounter in the World Cup.
“Holland is an important team but we have accordingly trained ourselves. We have specific trainers in all areas and are ready to face them.”
Having been part of all the major events of the past two years, Manpreet acquired adequate knowledge in understanding of the game, and is ready to part his knowledge to his teammates, who will all be facing a great test for their characters in ten days time, when the Delhi's Dhyan Chand stadium hosts the Junior World Cup.
Obviously, Manpreet Singh will the focus of the nation, and he is all set to assimilate the experience he gained, in order to stand up to the task.
With an experience of 85 international caps, Manpreet says he has learnt a lot from his seniors to guide the team.
“I will be putting a lot of things into practice which I grasped from my seniors. There is no such senior-junior. We will be playing as one team.”
Talking about his expectations from the World Cup, he adds, “Our aim is to take one match at a time and concentrate on it. This way, we will aim to move ahead.”
Fitness-wise also he says, the team has been training well under trainer Mathew Eyles and there are no fitness issues.
Though Manpreet is a man to watch, and at present seems to equip with everything that is required to put up a show, only time will tell how much of his enthusiasm and energy turn into a match winning trait.
Stick2Hockey.com
