Hardik Singh Aims for Olympic Gold to Honor Family Legacy and Prepare for Marriage

Mumbai, Nov 30 (NationPress) Upholding his family legacy has formed the foundation of Indian hockey athlete Hardik Singh's journey. After claiming bronze medals in consecutive Olympic Games in Tokyo (2020) and Paris (2024), the midfielder is now focused on securing a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028. This would represent the second Olympic gold medal in his family, adding to the one won by his uncle Gurmail Singh as part of the Indian men's hockey team during the Moscow Olympics in 1980.

Hardik states there is no pressure or competition to surpass his uncle, but rather a desire to continue the family's history of serving the nation on the hockey pitch.

"There is no competition, but it is a legacy that is ongoing in my family. I find inspiration in my uncle's achievements. Therefore, I am determined to focus on winning the gold medal. Hockey is India's national sport, and I aspire to secure the gold medal for both my country and my family," Hardik shared with IANS in an exclusive interview.

While winning the Olympic gold is his ultimate objective, his immediate goal is to earn a medal in the upcoming 2026 World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.

A fifth-generation hockey player, the 26-year-old from Khusropur, Jalandhar district of Punjab, has followed in the footsteps of his father Varinderpreet Singh, his uncles Gurmail Singh and Jugraj Singh, and his aunt Rajbir Kaur, all of whom are international athletes. His grandfather, Preetam Singh Rai, has a notable hockey background, having coached many players.

Hardik has carried forward this legacy, even considering quitting the sport in 2012 and settling in the Netherlands due to challenges in breaking into the national team.

Encouraged by his uncles, especially Jugraj Singh, and friends, he was urged not to give up and to keep pursuing the sport, assuring him that success would eventually come. Hardik heeded their advice, and the rest is history. He now boasts two Olympic medals, an Asian Games gold medal (Hangzhou 2022), a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, and numerous other international honors. The highlight of his achievements was being named the FIH Player of the Year in 2024, solidifying his place among the world's elite players.

Although winning an Olympic gold medal is his ultimate aspiration, Hardik emphasizes that his current focus is on contributing his best to the Indian hockey team in every possible way.

Hardik will play a vital role for the Indian hockey team in the upcoming seasons. India faces a busy schedule with the return of the Hockey India League (HIL) in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar, followed by the FIH Pro League matches commencing in February. The team will also participate in the Asia Cup next year, leading up to the World Cup qualifiers if India does not secure a direct spot for the prestigious event to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands in August 2026.

Hardik has already participated in two World Cups, in 2018 and 2023, both held in India.

"Currently, we are taking it step by step. Our immediate focus is on the Asia Cup, and then we will turn our attention to the World Cup. When you have such significant goals, it is essential to proceed gradually. Our primary aim is to assess our progress, strengthen as a team, and play quality, error-free hockey," Hardik stated.

Alongside senior team members and the coaching staff led by coach Craig Fulton, Hardik is committed to this journey. They are presently in Breda, Netherlands, for a series of exhibition matches to prepare for the upcoming competitions. Fulton has selected several young talents to evaluate and facilitate their integration into the team.

As the creative force on the team and a relentless midfield general, Hardik has transitioned into a senior player, now embracing the responsibility of mentoring the younger members and helping them adapt to the team's playing style and culture.

"Training here in Breda brings back memories. A few years ago, I was part of the Indian squad in this same place, where I was the youngest, and my seniors assisted me in integrating into the team. Now, it is my turn to fulfill the role my seniors played back then," Hardik shared with IANS from Breda on a rare off-day from training. The revamped Indian team is set to play exhibition matches against several Dutch clubs and aims to compete in two matches against the Olympic champions, the Netherlands.

Following this, they will embark on a new chapter in the Hockey India League (HIL), another significant event for Hardik, who participated in the 2017 edition as a young player.

"This presents a fantastic opportunity for us and the younger players to compete against some of the top international stars, observe their skills closely, and engage with them as part of rival franchises. If we look at the Indian team that won bronze in Tokyo in 2021, all those players had come through the HIL. Therefore, HIL will play a crucial role in our success for 2028 and beyond," Hardik remarked.

Outside of hockey, the 26-year-old is a government employee in Punjab and expresses his desire to get married and settle down. He believes that parents and spouses play a vital role in supporting hockey players.

Thus, to complete this setup, Hardik expresses his eagerness to marry soon. "Away from hockey, my aim is to get married," he said with a hearty laugh.

This goal seems more attainable for Hardik, as he is currently one of the most eligible bachelors on the Indian hockey team, a star player with a stable government job.