Tokyo Olympics 2020: Manpreet Singh to lead Indian Men's Hockey team

India has named Manpreet Singh as the captain of the Indian men's hockey team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020 where he will have two deputies Birendra Lakra and Harmanpreet Singh. Manpreet said, in a statement issued by Hockey India, that he was humbled to have this opportunity of representing India at the Olympics for the third time and this time as team Captain. Also Read | ‘The Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh passes away due to post-COVID complication It was a very proud moment for him, he said. Under his captaincy, the Indian hockey team has achieved various milestones. These include winning the Asia Cup in 2017, Asian Champions Trophy in 2018 as well as winning the FIH Series Final in 2019. Also Read | Punjab based Tajinderpal Toor qualifies for Tokyo Olympics; Kiren Rijiju congratulates him Also, India reached the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup in Bhubaneswar and performed well in the FIH Hockey Pro League under the captaincy of Manpreet Singh. Congratulating him, former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal wrote: "Hearty congratulations to DSP Manpreet Singh of Jalandhar dist, for being chosen to lead the Indian Hockey Team in Tokyo Olympics. Proud that after 21 years a Punjabi player will lead the Indian team in the Olympics. My best wishes to the team!" Likewise, Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal wrote: "Congratulations to Manpreet Singh, DSP Punjab Police, for being chosen to lead the Indian Hockey Team in #TokyoOlympics. My best wishes to the Punjabi lad from Mithapur village in Jalandhar dist and Team India. I’m sure they will do us proud." Tokyo Olympics 2020 is scheduled to be held from 23 July to 8 August 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Click here to follow PTC News on Twitter -PTC News