Amid mounting pressure on the Indian contingent due to their lackluster performance at the Paris Olympics, a 'billion dreams' are now residing upon the Indian Men's Hockey Team. On Sunday, the Indian men's hockey team once again rose to the occasion and stood tall against Great Britain to take a 1-1 (4-2) victory in a shootout to secure a semifinal berth in the Paris Olympics. Notably, it is the first time since 1972 in Munich that India has reached the semifinals in men's hockey in two successive Olympic Games. Previously, India had won successive bronze medals at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics after reaching the semis. India has won the bronze medal in the Tokyo Olympics and is in the fray to at least replicate or better that performance in Paris. With hopes high on the Indian Men's Hockey Team, an interesting figure has come to the fore. Out of 16 athletes part of the Indian hockey team at the Paris Olympics, 10 of them are from Punjab.
It means Punjab has become a factory that produces top hockey players for India. For the unversed, India has sent 1 117-member contingent to participate in the Paris Olympics. Haryana and Punjab are the two states that are at peak in terms of athletes representing India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. While 24 players of Haryana are representing India at the Paris Olympics, Punjab has contributed to 19 strong athletes. Since you have landed on this page, True Scoop News assumes that you are eager to know about the list of Punjab players at the Paris Olympics as part of the Indian Men's Hockey Team.
Punjab hockey players at Paris Olympics 2024
1) Harmanpreet Singh
Born on 6th January 1996 at Timmowal Village near Jandiala Guru township of Amritsar in a farmers’ family, Harmanpreet Singh is the captain of the Indian Men's Hockey Team. He is an ace drag-flicker and defender. After defeating Great Britain & qualifying at the Paris Olympics semi-final, Harmanpreet Singh said that the team is giving their everything to win India their 9th gold medal in hockey at the Olympic Games.
2) Hardik Singh
Hailing from a hockey family, Hardik Singh started playing hockey as a youngster in his village Khusropur. However, in 2012, he joined the Punjab Institute of Sports Academy in Mohali. Later, he shifted his bases to Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar. Notably, Hardik Singh is the Indian men's team vice-captain. He was a part of the bronze medal-winning hockey team at the Tokyo 2023 Olympics and won the Asian Games 2023 gold medal last year. The 25-year-old also won the Midfielder of the Year award.
3) Manpreet Singh
Manpreet Singh who was the captain of the Indian hockey team during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in which the Men In Blue won the historic bronze is also part of the team at the Paris Olympics. It is Manpreet Singh's fourth Olympic appearance for India. Manpreet Singh hails from Jalandhar, Punjab.
4) Jarmanpreet Singh
Hailing from Amritsar, Punjab, Jarmanpreet Singh is making his Olympics debut at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 28-year-old defender has already represented India in the Champions Trophy, the World Cup, and the Asian Games. However, due to his suspension for 2 years- 2016-2018, he has become part Indian Hockey Team at Olympics for the first time.
5) Mandeep Singh
Born in Jalandhar, Punjab; Mandeep Singh is part of the Indian Hockey Team at the Paris Olympics. The 29-year-old forward was part of the Indian team that won bronze at the Tokyo Games. Notably, Mandeep is among the key players for India at the Paris Olympics 2024.
6) Shamsher Singh
Hailing from Amritsar, Shamsher Singh is a vital part of the Indian Men's Hockey Team at the Paris Olympics 2024. Son of a farmer, Shamsher Singh is one of the vital cogs of Indian team at Paris Olympics 2024. Shamsher started playing hockey out of passion as a kid and very soon his interest began to grow. His first fillip came when he was picked to train at the renowned Surjit Singh Hockey Academy in Jalandhar where he honed his skills from the seventh standard till 12th grade.
7) Sukhjit Singh
Hailing from Jawandpur (Mianwind) village, Sukhjit Singh is also the part of Indian Men's Hockey Team at Paris Olympics. Born in Jawandpur village, Sukhjit Singh's father Ajit Singh was selected in the Punjab Police 25 years back and the family migrated from the village and settled in Jalandhar.
8) Jugraj Singh- Reserve
Known for drag flicking ability & good defending skills, Jugraj Singh is in the reserve of the Indian Hockey Team. Hailing from the Attari region of Punjab, Jugraj Singh's father worked for daily wages as a coolie at the border. But now, his son is a proud reserve member of the Indian Hockey team at Paris Olympics 2024.
9) Krishna Bahadur Pathak (Reserve)
Hailing from Kapurthala, Punjab, Krishna Bahadur Pathak has been selected as a reserve in the Indian Men's Hockey Team. Krishna Bahadur Pathak is known for his goal-keeping skills and he is providing support to India's 'Great Wall' P Sreejesh.
10) Gurjant Singh
Hailing from Khalaira, Amritsar; Gurjant Singh is also the part of Indian Men's Hockey Team and plays as a forward.