‘Now it’s time for next generation to take over,’ India’s hockey great Sardar Singh decides to bow out

Sardar Singh, one of India’s greatest hockey players, has decided to bow out of the sport after serving India for almost 12 long years.

He leaves behind a legacy of 300-plus international games he played for India as their halfback and he also scored 15-plus goals.

Speaking to the media, Sardar Singh said, “I have played almost 12 years for the country and it’s a long time. Now it’s the time for the next generation to take over the baton.

According to the report, the 32-year-old DSP with Haryana Police has discussed his future with Hockey India and national coach Harendra Singh and they are convinced about his decision.

Since age was not on his side, the Indian team had not included the veteran in their squad for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

That hurt him a lot and Sardar Singh then decided to work on his fitness. He then made his comeback to the Indian team for the Champions Trophy, where he helped the team finish with the silver medal.

He not only made a comeback but he returned as one of the fittest players in the side. The Yo-Yo Test prior to the Jakarta’s Asian Games showed Sardar Singh was among the fittest players in the squad. His score of 21.4 not only bettered his own record of 21.3 but in the process, he left Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, considered India’s fittest athlete, behind.

“I am fit to play good hockey for at least a couple of more years. But there is always a time to plan what is next for you. And I personally feel this is the best time to start thinking about new ventures.

 Hockey is an integral part of my life and will always remain important to me. The only thing is that now you will see me in a different role. I will continue representing my department Haryana Police and state in the domestic circuit,” Sardar Singh added.

Earlier, it was reported that Sardar Singh has been left out of the 25-member core group named by Hockey India on Wednesday for the national camp, which is scheduled to begin on September 16 at the Kalinga Hockey Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

The Indian team is expected to undergo a month-long training under Harendra Singh's guidance ahead of the ten-day Asian Champions Trophy to begin on October 18 in Muscat, Oman where India will defend their title.