Hockey's Hero

Getting up close and personal with the nation’s newest sporting heartthrob, Rupinder Pal Singh, a hockey player par excellence and a ripped six-pack flaunter.

- Trisha Dangarwala

He’s India’s best known goal scorer and drag flick expert. Punjab-born Rupinder Pal Singh is not just a great hockey player, he’s also the poster boy of Indian hockey. Standing tall at 6 feet 2 inches, dreamy eyes, deep dimples and a perfectly chiselled physique, 28-year-old Rupinder is a joy to watch on the field – both for his game and looks!

A multi-award winning player, the dashing sportsperson has come a long way since his days in the Junior League. In an easy breezy interview with ‘H&N’, Rupinder tells us what triggered his passion for hockey, fitness and more… Read on…

HOCKEY – A FAMILY AFFAIR

My family used to play hockey, including my father and my cousins. Looking at them, I picked up the hockey stick for the first time when I was 10 years old, and started joining them in the game. It was not something I took seriously at first. I played only because I really enjoyed the game and found pleasure in spending time with my family and friends through the sport.

Things took a more serious turn on the field when I got selected in the Chandigarh Hockey Academy in the year 2002. It was there that I discovered my true passion for the sport and started training formally, which I’m very lucky was still at a young age. I had the time to learn and excel at it.

FUN AT THE HOSTEL

Life at the academy hostel was fun. We boys used to spend a lot of time together going out to the cinema or for meals when the food at the hostel did not interest us much and we would also get caught sneaking out of the hostel. Then we’d worry about how we could get back inside without getting into trouble.

TEAM INDIA BECKONS