Despite being out of selector's radar, former India captain says his motivation is to get back into national team for Rio Olympics
At 29, after playing hockey for more than a decade, one would assume Sandeep Singh takes it a bit easy now.
However, on Tuesday, despite Ranchi Rays coach Harinder Singh calling it an end to the team's practice session, Sandeep carried on for a bit and was the last player to step out of the turf.
"You can see how much hard work I have been putting on the training ground. Scoring the winner in the last game (in Ranchi's 5-4 win over against Punjab Warriors) has done wonders for me mentally. I know that I will only get better as the tournament progresses. That goal really meant a lot," Sandeep told dna on the eve of his team's Hockey India League (HIL) encounter against Dabang Mumbai here on Wednesday.
Clearly, the former India captain still has that hunger in him. It doesn't matter that the national selectors have ignored him for several years. It doesn't matter that they think he is over. In his mind, he isn't.
"Every single player out there wants to make the selectors of the national side take notice and be on the plane for the 2016 Rio Olympics. I am no different. I may have been out of the team for a very long time but the motivation to get back and play with Sardar & Co will always be there.
"It is my main goal to be part of the side to Rio. That's why a good show in the league is so very important. The fact that HIL is being held in an Olympic year makes things even more interesting," the dragflicker said.
With his goal in mind, Sandeep has resorted to playing in foreign leagues to keep himself fit.
"I have spent the last two years in England (Havant Hockey Club) and Australia (North West Strikers, Sydney). Maintaining your place in the national side is tough, but once you're out, you need to keep yourself physically fit.
You need to train and play hockey with much more intensity compared to when you were in the team to merit a comeback. Sadly, you can't be at the level of fitness you need by staying and playing domestic tournaments in India," he said.
While selectors have opted for VR Raghunath and Rupinderpal Singh as their preferred dragflickers, Sandeep knows he has his work cut out when it comes to getting back into the side.
"The competition between the three of us has always been tight. Many youngsters too are knocking on the door. You have the likes Harmanpreet Singh. The way I see it, competition will always get the best out of us and it will be India who will benefit the most," the fullback said.
Even if he doesn't make the squad, Sandeep, a deputy superintendent of police with the Haryana police, sounded optimistic about India's medal prospects.
"Our prospects look really good. The bronze medal performance at the Hockey World League Finals means our team is heading in the right direction. It's too early to predict whether it will be a gold, silver or a bronze. Let's not forget that there is still a lot of hockey to be played between the HIL and the Olympics," Sandeep, who was part of the Indian side that bagged silver at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, said.
Sandeep loves the HIL, having been part of the league since the inaugural season in 2013. What's more, he has topped the goal-scoring charts in all of the three seasons, plundering 11 goals each. No wonder Ranchi spent a whopping $81,000 for his services in the auctions.
"It's been four years now and with the field goals counting as two, the league has actually changed," he said with a chuckle.
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