You can not be in top five in Olympic after just one year's preparation.
— Sandeep Singh
I remember how I, too, was part of the Azlan Shah tournament for the first time in 2005. After that, I went to the Junior World Cup. I remember how much I benefited from the exposure.
My priority is to perform the job for which I am in the squad.
I saw tough times, and there were many nights when I would just cry out aloud.
I like to improve all the time and never let complacency creep into my system.
Hockey is a difficult and skill-based game.
I owe my success to all my teammates. It is the result of the team work.
People have seen me on-field, but no one knows about my off-field life. People rarely know that personality of me.
'Roadies' tests your mental and physical ability in the most challenging way, and I have gone through this.
My only ultimate aim is to bring back the lost glory of Indian hockey.
My brother, who is four years older to me, not only inspired me to take up hockey but also taught me every trick of the game. I give all credit to him for my success.
I don't want sadness or happiness to affect my life.
I know hockey is not as popular as cricket in India, but I hope in future, every renowned hockey player should be given a fitting farewell rather than ignoring them.
Indian coaches are strict on the field, but off the field, they take very good care of you.
I think I am the first hockey player in India to have a wax statue of his own. It is a great honour.
I have worked on my defense skills and played in the midfield as well. Coaches are preparing players to play at any given position.
Cleanliness is important, and more than that is the physical fitness to attain healthy body and mind.
It is very important to set yourself goals and work on them. It lifts your spirits and helps you focus.
If there is increased competition, it is only good for the team.
The Olympic Rings tattoo has played its part and will continue to motivate me.
HIL has provided a wonderful platform for Indian youngster to showcase their skills, gain experience of playing top players, and can be serve as a good supply line for the national team.
I think Hero Hockey India League is the world's best hockey league.
I am a big fan of Diljit Dosanjh.
Diljit Dosanjh has been the best choice for playing me on screen. He has given a tremendous performance with true emotions and actions. He has not only delivered my feelings for each and every moment during my struggle post my injury but also worked hard to portray my personality as a hockey player.
People who know the game of hockey, who followed hockey, they know who Sandeep Singh is. They know I have been Indian Hockey team's captain, but they don't know about the struggle and the life after being shot.
I am very excited to be a part of 'Roadies Real Heroes,' as it has been one of my favourite reality shows, and I am now ready for an adventurous journey as one of the gang leaders on the show.
I was on the wheelchair for six months and lost all hope of returning to the field. I thought my career was over, but my brother kept on encouraging me. 'All that you need to do is to be resolute to return to the field,' he said. These words turned out to be magical.
My idea behind the film was to show the struggles an athlete continually endures. There is always a story behind a successful sportsperson. In 'Soorma,' we have tried to recreate that.
My mother says that I have abnormal capacity to tolerate pain. It's the first step to win over adversaries.
I want to work with Indian drag-flickers at the grass-root level and train them.
Any new coach takes about six months to adjust to the system, and players also need time to understand his methods.
Both players and coaches take time to understand each other. Frequent changes bring that rapport to square one.
Hockey is my passion, and I cannot live without it.
The government is supporting the injured athletes for their recovery in every aspect, but I feel if we have a world-class rehab facility in India, then there is no need to go abroad.
I love this game too much to not give my best attempt.
I don't think of myself as a lesser player.
Winning for your country in the Olympics is the ultimate dream for any sportsperson, and I am determined to do it.
I have gained experience over the years, but learning will keep happening in every game.
I am a master of drag-drag-flick.
Because of so much fastness in the game, those who play hockey and those who have knowledge about it, they enjoy the game. But the normal public doesn't like it.
Everybody has their own way and signature style to play the game.
Without trust, you cannot do anything.
I love experimenting and doing new things in life, and if things fall into place, I'm ready to take up acting, too.
Hockey fascinates me more than anything else in life.
I have met people who have called me the god of hockey, but in my head, I know who I am.
We used to live in Patiala in the early '90s. I was hardly six or seven, can't remember the exact age. There was a devastating flood: at least four feet water was inside the house. For good 14-15 days, we survived without proper food. Probably this was the incident that triggered our willpower.
I have specific plans. I have a lot of ideas, desi ideas, which I want to implement in coaching.
I still remember the time when I visited the wax museum in London. While there were statues of many sports personalities, including that of Sachin Tendulkar, I didn't see a wax figure of any hockey player. I was a little disappointed at that time, and I hoped that one day, at least in India, someone would make a wax statue of a hockey player.
Big wins give you confidence.
When I had an accident in 2006, no one believed that I will return to the ground, but I did.
