Harmanpreet and his team have the quality to defend the Asian Games title: Gurbux Singh

The Indian men’s hockey team will enter the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya as the defending champions. Led by Harmanpreet Singh, the team will look to put behind its disappointing eighth-place finish at the 2026 Hockey World Cup, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. Former Olympic gold medallist Gurbux Singh, a member of India’s historic 1966 Asian Games gold-winning team, remains hopeful of a strong campaign from Harmanpreet’s side under head coach Craig Fulton.

“Yes, there is definitely pressure because we have not been performing well for the last two years. Winning the Asian Games is very important for us because the winner also qualifies for the Olympics. That is extremely important. Otherwise, we will have to go through the Olympic qualifying rounds, which will not be easy. The Asian Games are comparatively easier because the European teams and some of the other strong sides are not involved. We definitely have the quality to win the Asian Games title. The only problem is that our performances have not been up to the mark,” said Gurbux in an exclusive interaction with Revsportz.

He added, “One of the major concerns is that many of our players have been playing for nearly 10 years. Some of them started with the Lucknow Junior World Cup and have been playing at the highest level for the last 10 or 11 years. Most of them are getting older now. I am not saying they are playing badly, but unfortunately, proper replacements have not emerged. Equal replacements have not come through, and I hope that, with the limited time available, the team can perform well and qualify for the Olympics.”

With over 410 international appearances, Manpreet Singh is one of the country’s most capped players. The veteran midfielder will be part of the 20-member Indian men’s hockey squad for the upcoming Asian Games. Asked about the decision to persist with Manpreet, Gurbux said, “For me, age is just a number. It depends on how the coach feels. I have found him very capable and quite fit. He is not fatigued and has been doing well. From whatever I have seen over the last six months — although he has not played for the last two or three months — he played well in the India Super League. Age is only a number. Depending on his physical and technical capabilities, I think he is still very good.”

Goalkeeper PR Sreejesh’s retirement has obviously left a void. Young emerging goalkeeper Mohit HS and experienced custodian Suraj Karkera will provide stability under the crossbar.

According to Gurbux, “Sreejesh proved himself over the last three or four Olympics. He was very good, guided the team and helped the defence tremendously. The other goalkeepers now have to prove their mettle and show how good they are. At crucial moments, they have to be able to come to the aid of the defenders and the team.”

This year marks the 60th anniversary of India winning its first Asian Games gold medal. The legendary player was quite nostalgic while looking back on the memory.

“Yes, a lot of happy memories because that was the first Asian Games I played in. We won the Olympic gold medal in 1964 in Tokyo, beating Pakistan 1-0. Two years later, at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok, we again beat Pakistan 1-0. It was a very happy memory in my life because the ambition of winning gold medals at the Olympics and Asian Games was fulfilled. At that time, there was no World Cup competition. The Olympics were considered the World Championship, while the Asian Games were the Asian Championship. India and Pakistan were the best teams in the world at that time. So, it was a very, very happy memory, and I will never forget it for as long as I live,” said Gurbux.

Asked what his message to the current Indian team ahead of the Asian Games 2026 would be, Gurbux said, “I wish them the very best in doing well in the upcoming Asian Games. You have to give your best. Sincerity, dedication, devotion and hard work — those are the things that count. Those are the values I tried to follow throughout my life. Anything is possible for these players. I am confident the team should do well.”

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