Defiant Jarmanpreet not leaving after Asian Champions Trophy, gives clear intent

Indian hockey defender Jarmanpreet Singh has made it clear that he has no plans to retire after the Asian Champions Trophy, despite reports that Hockey India is preparing to phase out four senior players in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The inclusion of Jarmanpreet in the list of four players expected to withdraw came as a surprise as several former players believed the 30-year-old had done enough to at least continue to the Los Angeles Olympics. The wing-back has established himself as one of India’s most reliable players in this role, combining a high work rate with attacking threat and defensive discipline.

The defender, who was part of India’s bronze medal campaign at the Paris Olympics, told PTI that he wants to continue playing for India and represent the country at the Los Angeles Games. Jarmanpreet along with Mandeep Singh, Amit Rohidas and Nilakanta Sharma are among the senior players who could feature in India’s last stint at the Asian Champions Trophy.

“I want to continue playing and perform well in the Los Angeles Olympics. I want to do my best for the team,” Jarmanpreet told PTI.

Hockey India is believed to be planning a gradual transition in the squad with a view to LA 2028. India secured Olympic qualification by winning gold at the 2026 Asian Games, giving the team more than a year to prepare for the Games.

However, Jarmanpreet is determined to remain a part of this journey.

“Qualifying for the Olympics by winning the gold medal at the Asian Games is a great achievement for our team. It is a great opportunity for us and we are well prepared for the Los Angeles Olympics,” he said.

“After this tournament, we will start preparing for LA. I want the team to perform well there and win the gold medal,” he added.

VALUE OF JARMANPREET

Jarmanpreet’s case for continuing until the Los Angeles Olympics is strengthened by the role he has carved out during his career. India have tried other players at full-back, but few have matched the combination of work-rate, attacking flair and defensive acumen that the 30-year-old brings to the position.

These qualities made him a favorite of head coach Craig Fulton during his tenure, with Jarmanpreet regularly among the first names on the team sheet. His ability to contribute at both ends of the field has made him an important part of the Indian set-up, so the prospect of his phasing out has become one of the talking points among former players.

Jarmanpreet has 171 international caps to his name and was a key member of India’s bronze medal winning side at the Paris Olympics. He also has two gold medals from the Asian Games, having been part of the teams that won the title in 2022 and 2026.

The Arjuna awardee believes he has continued to develop as a defender and wants to build on those improvements rather than end his international career.

“I tried to improve my defensive skills, create good chances and contribute to the team’s performance. I will continue to work on my duties as a defender and try to improve further,” he said.

HARMANPREET DENIED THE REPORTS

India captain Harmanpreet Singh also dismissed speculation that the four senior players are set to leave after the Asian Champions Trophy. In a pre-tournament press conference on Monday, Harmanpreet described the reports as rumours, saying the matter was not discussed within the team.

“I don’t think it’s a correct report and we haven’t discussed anything in that direction in the team. I think it’s rumours,” said Harmanpreet.

JARMANPREET EYES ACT TITLE

India, the five-time champions and the highest-ranked team in the Asian Champions Trophy, will enter the tournament as favourites. However, Jarmanpreet warned against complacency and insisted that the team will have to approach every match with equal intensity, despite their recent success at the Asian Games.

“We recently won the gold medal in the Asian Games and we want to perform well here as well. But we cannot take any team lightly even though India is a hockey powerhouse,” he said.

“We are playing at full strength and are the number one team in Asia, but we will not underestimate any opponent. We will approach the tournament one match at a time. Every team is going here to give their best, and we will also try to perform well as a team,” he added.

The tournament also marks a significant occasion for Punjab as international hockey returns to the state after 17 years. The last international tournament hosted in Punjab was the Gold Cup in 2009.

Punjab has long been the center of Indian hockey, producing several generations of players and more than half of the current Indian team hailing from the state. For Jarmanpreet, playing the tournament on home soil adds to the occasion.

“It’s a great opportunity for Punjab and its players to play at home, especially at a place where many of us started playing hockey. I thank Hockey India and the Punjab government for giving us this opportunity. I think our team is well prepared for this tournament,” he said.

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