Indian men's hockey team's defender Jarmanpreet Singh was considered a rising star when he was selected by the Punjab franchise in the prestigious Hockey India League in 2015. He seemed destined to represent India at the Junior World Cup in 2016, which launched the careers of many of his contemporaries, including the current India captain Harmanpreet Singh. However, a failed dope test resulting from an injection given by a medical practitioner in his hometown for lower back pain cost him two valuable years of his promising career.
While his peers went on to play for the senior India team, Jarmanpreet had to serve a two-year ban, leaving his future in hockey uncertain.
Now, in 2024, Jarmanpreet is set to make his debut appearance at the Olympic Games, a journey he attributes to his inherent quality of persistence.
"It was not easy. It was one of my darkest phases, with many uncertainties. Players don't usually emerge from a setback like this. To sit out of matches for two years is a big gap in the sport," recalled Jarmanpreet, who is now an officer with the Income Tax department.
"But I was persistent and I knew I had to bounce back. I don't think I could have done this without a strong domestic structure where I could show the selectors that I still had it in me. In 2018, after the Hockey India Senior Men National Championship, I was among the 50 probables in the camp. Hockey India gave me a chance to rebuild my career.
"I was selected for the national program for senior men where I was given an opportunity to catch up with my peers and make my Senior India debut. They saw that potential in me and I didn't give up on my dream to play for India at the Olympic Games," expressed Jarmanpreet.
Jarmanpreet is currently in Switzerland, part of Indian team's mental conditioning camp ahead of the Paris Olympics, which begin July 26. As he prepares for his debut in the esteemed quadrennial event, he is filled with anticipation and enthusiasm.
"The journey so far with this team has been incredible. We have gone through the highs and lows as one strong unit. Now we are focused on our goal and we are in the last block of our preparations. I am super excited and eager to start our campaign at the Paris Olympics," he said.
