"I will not stop no matter what it takes and how long it takes me to achieve an Olympic gold in field hockey. It is my dad’s dream and it is my dream to make my dad’s dream a reality."-Sukhmanpreet Singh.
There are youth who know from early on that they want to dedicate their time and energy to a particular goal whether it be academic or non-academic and achieve great heights in it.
Sukhmanpreet Singh shoots and scores and at only the age of 16 he has shown exemplary sportsmanship in field hockey. His efforts have been rewarded with him being appointed as captain of the U-16 field hockey team in BC.
He is the first youth of Punjabi heritage to receive such a title. The title of captaincy, Singh says “Is not only a source of pride for him, his family but also for the entire community. As captain, he wants to lead, support, inspire and represent the members of his appointed team fairly and consistently at all times.” He was always athletic and had a passion for sports. Before he pursued hockey aggressively he played basketball at school. The start of field hockey as a beginning to something special took place when he watched his uncle’s game.
Singh says from that day on “I got inspired by him or I can say by his game. On that day after the game I asked him I want to play hockey. My uncle replied if you want to play then don’t leave hockey. I said I will not.” For Singh, both his dad and uncle have been tremendous role models as they both were avid and excellent hockey players.
Since then he made a vow in his heart that he will give it his all and that field hockey is his calling. He began playing hockey at the age of 12 and has been playing for four years. Singh has already shown exceptional prowess within the game wining various accolades. At the U18 national championship he was the second highest goal scorer and received the tournament 11 award. In Alberta, Singh was bestowed with the Best Player Award.
Currently, Singh plays for the Surinder Lions Field Hockey club in Surrey and his game is sponsored by Fraser Sports. Singh trains for four to five hours everyday and the training will get rigorous for him with upcoming tournaments in the Men’s League taking place in Vancouver and Surrey from September 2022-July 2023.
Over the years, Singh has modelled his game after his own play reflecting on previous games and figuring out how he can raise the bar for himself with his next play. He has been following King of Drag Flick legend Sandeep Singh. Singh shares “I want to break the world record that Sandeep Singh has set 145Km/h.”
Singh considers himself extremely fortunate to have a supportive family who not only encourage his love for the game of field hockey but also support him financially. His dad and his coaches lovingly call him Flick-Man an offshoot of Drag Flick.
Currently, Singh attends L A Matheson Secondary School in Surrey. Singh says he wants to do what no one has done until now and that is to bring an Olympic Gold medal home in field hockey by representing Canada at the world’s biggest sporting event.
Apart from being a brilliant player in the field he is also a scholar academically. In the year 2018-2019 he was awarded student of the year at Khalsa School.
Singh says, “I will not stop no matter what it takes and how long it takes me to achieve an Olympic gold in field hockey. It is my dad’s dream and it is my dream to make my dad’s dream a reality.”
It’s Singh’s go-getter attitude that has allowed him to accomplish so much at such a young age. Since being appointed Captain he has been feeling overjoyed, positive, and even more confident towards the game. Singh’s message for the South Asian youth is to work hard, respect your parents, and coaches and that mindset will pave the way for greatness and abundance.