Drag-flicker of hope

Born in the cold December of 1995 in Amritsar,Punjab,Manpreet moved to Nanded,Maharashtra in 2001 with his family. Introduced to the game while studying at the Andhra Samithi School in Nanded,the youngster was soon recruited by Gurmeet Singh to join the Khalsa Youth Club. “I learnt my basics on the club’s mud ground,” says the youngster. “I started playing well and Gurmeet sir told me to participate in the SAI trials.” Then 14,Manpreet joined the Kandivali (East) based club in 2009. Since then,he has been living at the SAI campus. “I remember my family all the time,” he says. “But I know I’ve been sent here to excel. To win something I have to lose something. But my parents have been very supportive and they have made it easier for me.”

Playing with the SAI team throughout his young career,Manpreet is currently in his fourth season of the Super League,but the first as captain. “I have to make sure the unity in the team remains intact and I have to read the opposition’s tactics on field,” he says. “But I always try and play my game.” Given the fact that SAI has a policy that only allows under-20 players to represent the team,the side has youthful yet inexperienced players. “This is a very good opportunity for us to learn,” says the skipper. “We notice how our experienced opponents handle particular situations and that in turn,helps improve our own game.” On a lighter note,Manpreet adds that it’s encouraging to see older and experienced opponents taking their young side seriously. “It’s fun for us at times,” he says jovially. “When we dribble past a senior player,or dodge their tackles,or even score against them,the feeling is incredible. It makes us feel really good about ourselves.”

While the patka clad youngster,who notably wears his captain’s armband just below his left knee,continues to impress the audience,the selectors have expressed concern over his future. “His skill will soon attract different clubs who would want to hire him,” says Mascarenhas. “But he needs to choose very carefully and not jump to the first team that approaches. He needs to check the type of players he’ll be playing with,because they will guide him on the field. And he needs to check who the coach is.” Lobo too laments a similar tune. “He needs to start playing with more experienced players,” he says. “At the moment he is overburdened on the field because of the team’s collective inexperience. Once he plays with seasoned players,he will be more relaxed and his game will improve tremendously.”

While both selectors hold high hopes for the teenager,they were impressed by the quality of his drag-flicking abilities. Inspired by Indian international Sandeep Singh,Manpreet started practicing the art. “I learned the basics just by watching him,” says Manpreet. “Later on Narad Bahadur (former SAI and current Central Railways) taught me the technique.” Lobo too is impressed by Manpreet’s technique. “He is fluid,and the way he does the half semi-circle move,it’s almost as if he’s been doing it for years,” he says.

Fuelled by the goal to play for the Indian side,junior and senior,the boy from Nanded has lit up the Super League. “He’s has been playing very well,” says Mascarenhas. “He’s definitely going to become a big player for India if he makes the right decisions.”