Indian hockey stalwart Manpreet Singh has added another milestone to his illustrious career by becoming the most-capped player in the history of Indian hockey, completing 413 international appearances and surpassing all previous records.
The achievement has sparked celebrations in his native village of Mithapur in Punjab’s Jalandhar district, a place widely regarded as one of India’s prominent nurseries of hockey talent. Family members, friends and residents expressed pride over the landmark, describing it as a moment of honour not only for the village but also for the country.
Manpreet’s wife, Navpreet Kaur, said the record reflected years of dedication, discipline and sacrifice. She credited his rigorous fitness regime, strict dietary habits and relentless work ethic for helping him remain at the highest level of international hockey for such a long period. She also acknowledged the role played by the Indian team throughout his journey, saying individual milestones become possible only through collective success.
Expressing confidence in her husband’s future achievements, she said the veteran midfielder still has several years of top-level hockey left in him and could go on to reach the 500-match mark, setting an even bigger benchmark for future generations.
His mother, Manjit Kaur, described the achievement as an emotional moment for the family and said Manpreet had fulfilled a dream cherished by every sportsperson’s family. She added that the entire village was celebrating the accomplishment and praying for further success for both the player and the national team.
Looking ahead to upcoming international assignments, family members voiced confidence in India’s prospects in major tournaments, including the World Cup, Commonwealth Games and future global competitions. They expressed hope that the national side would continue its recent resurgence and strengthen its position among the world’s leading hockey nations.
Manjit Kaur also pointed to the upcoming India-Pakistan hockey clash scheduled around June 26, which coincides with Manpreet’s birthday, saying a victory for India would make the occasion even more memorable for the family.
Manpreet, who has been a central figure in India’s revival on the international hockey stage over the past decade, has played a key role in several major achievements, including the team’s Olympic medal-winning campaigns. His latest milestone further cements his place among the most accomplished players in the history of Indian hockey.
The record has been widely celebrated across Punjab’s sporting circles, with many describing it as a testament to consistency, longevity and commitment at the highest level of the sport.