Momentum is the key for success for the Indian Men’s Hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics says forward Ramandeep Singh

Indian Men’s Hockey team forward Ramandeep Singh believes that momentum will be key for India at the Tokyo Olympics. The Men in Blue start their Olympics campaign on July 24 against New Zealand in their first round robin fixture and it is important to start positively.

“A lot will depend on how we fair in the first match. A good result against New Zealand will set the right momentum for the rest of the tournament,” stated the experienced Indian forward.

Graham Reid’s men are in Pool A with Olympics champions Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and lastly host Japan. The Indian team is currently at the National camp in SAI Bengaluru where the coaching staff are creating match like environment to churn out the best players who will board the flight for Tokyo.

Speaking about the selection training, Ramandeep siad, “We are currently replicating the Olympic schedule, three teams with different combinations from within the group have been formed and the coaching staff has created an atmosphere that is similar to what it would be like at the Olympics. We wear the Indian kit, we get ready as though we are facing a tough international opponent, we do team activation (pre-match drills) just like we would before an international game and we also line-up for the national anthem before the start of the match.”

The 28-year-old further added that the whole Olympics core are excited as the selection procedures are underway for the big event. “Of course, there is a lot of excitement within the group, and this exercise of replicating the Olympics’ schedule is also a good way to test our bodies with two back-to-back games and then a day’s rest,” Ramandeep Singh added.

“We are paying attention to recovery when we have back-to-back matches and so on. Though we missed out on travelling for international matches due to the pandemic, I feel this exercise of playing internal matches is really bringing out the match-mentality to the fore.”

Ramandeep suffered a knee injury in 2018 which has hindered his progress but otherwise he has got back in shape and is looking forward to the Summer Games. He said, “I think 2016 and 2017 for me were really good, I was in good form and was doing really well but the knee injury during Champions Trophy in 2018 was a big setback. It took me about six-seven months to recover and just when I had begun playing, I had an ankle injury. But mid 2019 onwards I have been doing well and I believe I have returned to my old form.”

The experienced forward was part of the Indian team which toured Europe but a cut in his hand forced him to stay out of the otur after the first game against Germany. “I also ended up missing the Argentina Tour due to this minor injury, I was rested for about 15-20 days. But now I feel I am in good nick,” Ramandeep concluded.