Not the end of the road for Manpreet Singh & Co: Hockey India
A day after ‘resting’ certain senior players for the FIH Pro League, Hockey India is categorical that it is not the end of the road for Manpreet Singh and others.
Sportstar had already reported that the decision to exclude Manpreet and Krishan Bahadur Pathak from the 33-member core probables for the Pro League next month was more about off-field issues than anything else. As the senior-most players in the side, both in terms of age and experience, the federation and the selectors, in consultation with coach Craig Fulton, felt it necessary to send a message to the rest of the players.
But while the duo, along with Dilpreet Singh, won’t figure in the first two legs of the Pro League, Hockey India officials have made it clear that the decision does not mean the end of their playing careers.
“It will be the end of their careers only if they announce their retirements. Other than that, so long as they clear fitness standards, no one can say it’s their end,” HI secretary general Bholanath Singh declared.
Federation officials confirmed that the issue during the team’s South Africa tour in December had been serious enough to warrant an enquiry with the concerned players, including Dilpreet, apologising.
“It was a serious offence in itself, but the fact that they inadvertently included another player makes it worse. That said, any further decision will be taken after consulting all concerned parties. But this is definitely not the end for any of them,” a senior official insisted.
Federation sources also said that HI could be looking at working a way out to allow an honourable exit to the players, especially Manpreet, by including them for the Asian Games, making it clear that it would be their farewell event.
“That will not only give them time to reflect on their actions but also plan their exit on a big stage without the ignominy of being dropped. It will also put to rest all rumours of sabotaging the international caps record,” they explained.
Published on Jan 30, 2026