Rajinder Singh (field hockey, born 2002)
Rajinder Singh (born 22 December 2002)[1] is an Indian field hockey player from Haryana. He made his senior Indian debut in the two-match series against Germany in October 2024.[2] He plays as a midfielder and is a product of Namdhari Sports Academy. He plays for Haryana in the domestic tournaments and for Hyderabad Toofans in the Hero Hockey India League 2024.
Early life and education
[edit]Singh is from Sant Nagar village, Sirsa district, Haryana.[3] He is the son of a land-owning farmer and took up hockey by chance when he joined the Namdhari Academy to get a new hockey stick, like others in his village. He learnt his basics under coach Harwinder Singh and later, former Indian skipper Sardar Singh, who hails from the same village, became his mentor. His Haryana state coach is Sandeep Sangwan.[3]
Career
[edit]In October 2022, Singh’s first big medal came in the 2022 Sultan of Johor Cup, held at Johor Bahru, Malaysia, where India won a gold medal.[4] Next year too, he was in the Indian team that won a bronze medal in the 2023 Sultan of Johor Cup.[5] In December, he was also part of the India team that came fourth in the 2023 FIH Junior World Cup. In 2023, he played in the Indian team that won the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023.[1] He also participated in the FIH pro league for men in the 2022–23 season.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Rajinder Singh - Hockey India". hockeyindia.org. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ PTI (23 October 2024). "IND vs GER: Inspired by Sardar, Rajinder set for senior India debut in 2024 bilateral hockey series against Germany". Sportstar. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ a b Chakraborty, Saikat (17 November 2024). "After an impressive debut at the Nationals, Haryana's Rajinder looks to adapt to international hockey with India A". Sportstar. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ Sportstar, Team (29 October 2022). "India defeats Australia to win third Sultan of Johor Cup in shootout". Sportstar. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ "Latest Hockey News and Updates - Hockey India". hockeyindia.org. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- ^ "Rajinder Singh | India hockey player". International Hockey Federation. Retrieved 7 January 2025.