 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Sandeep Singh Saini | ||
| Born | (1986-02-27)27 February 1986 (age 39) Shahabad,Haryana,India | ||
| Height | 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Fullback | ||
| Senior career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 2013 | Mumbai Magicians | ||
| 2014–2015 | Punjab Warriors | ||
| 2016 | Ranchi Rays | ||
| National team | |||
| Years | Team | Caps | Goals |
| 2004–2012 | India | 200+ | (150+) |
Medal record | |||
| Last updated on: 21 January 2016 | |||
Sandeep Singh (born 27 February 1986) is an Indian professionalfield hockey player fromHaryana and an ex-captain of theIndian national hockey team.[2] He generally features as afull back and is apenalty corner specialist for the team. He has been dubbed "Flicker Singh" in the media for his specialization of the drag-flick, one of the fastest in the world.
Singh holds aDSP rank in theHaryana Police. He has been elected asMLA in 2019 fromPehowa constituency inKurukshetra, Haryana fromBharatiya Janata Party. He served as the Sports Minister ofHaryana and resigned from the post on 1 January 2023, after the Haryana police registered a case against him for asexual assault complaint.[3][4]
Singh hails fromShahabad town inKurukshetra, Haryana.[5] He was educated at Shivalik Public School, Mohali. Sandeep was born to Gurucharan Singh Saini and Daljeet Kaur Saini.[6] Sandeep has an older brother, Bikramjeet, also a field hockey player who plays for Indian Oil.[7]
Sandeep's international debut was in January 2004 inSultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur. He took over as the captain of the Indian national team in January 2009, andRajpal Singh succeeded him later in 2010. Singh is a well known drag-flicker. At a time he was said to have the best speed in the world in drag flick (speed 145 km/h). Under his captaincy, the Indian team managed to clinch theSultan Azlan Shah Cup in 2009 after defeatingMalaysia in the finals atIpoh. India won the title after a long wait of 13 years. Singh was also the top goal scorer of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup tournament.
TheIndia men's national field hockey team have qualified for the2012 Summer Olympics in London after a gap of 8 years. The team had a resounding victory overFrance in the finals of the Olympic qualifiers by beating France 9–1. Ace drag-flicker Singh starred in the final against France by scoring five goals – including a hat-trick – all from penalty corners (19th, 26th, 38th, 49th and 51st minutes).[8] Singh was the highest scorer of the Olympic qualifiers tournament by scoring 16 goals.[9]
Sandeep Singh became the fifth highest-paid marquee player at the inauguralHockey India League as the Mumbai franchise bought him for US$64,400[10] with his base price being US$27,800. The Mumbai team has been namedMumbai Magicians. Scoring 11 goals in 12 games, Singh emerged as the top scorer in the first edition of the league.[11] In 2014, he was signed byPunjab Warriors. After playing two seasons for the team, he was signed byRanchi Rays for US$81,000 in 2015 starting2016.[12]
In 2014, Singh relocated to the UK to play forHavant Hockey Club.[13]
On 22 August 2006, Singh was seriously injured after being hit by an accidental gunshot in theKalka Shatabdi Express train, while on his way to join the national team due to leave for the World Cup in Africa two days later. He was almost paralyzed and on the wheelchair for 1 year of his life. He was 20 at that time. Singh not only recovered from that serious injury but also established himself again and played world cup for India in 2010 Indian team.[2]
Sandeep Singh was elected fromPehowa constituency asMember of Legislative Assembly (Haryana) fromBharatiya Janata Party during the2019 Haryana Legislative Assembly election. He was sworn in as Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs (MoS) and Minister of Printing and Stationery (MoS) (Independent Charge).
Indian filmmakerShaad Ali made a biographical film, titledSoorma (lit. 'Warrior'), based on Singh's life.Diljit Dosanjh played Sandeep Singh's role in the film. It was released on 13 July 2018. The film also starsTaapsee Pannu andAngad Bedi.[19]
Singh appeared as a judge on the Indian reality television seriesMTV Roadies (Roadies: Real Heroes) onMTV India.[20]
In December 2022, a junior athletics coach filed a complaint alleging that Sandeep Singh had sexually harassed her. Following this, a case was registered against Singh on 1 January 2023 for sexual harassment and criminal intimidation.[21] The woman complained that Sandeep Singh called her to his camp office and sexually assaulted her. He denied the allegation and alleged that the complaint aims to commit personal vendetta against him. He resigned from the post of Sports Minister following the registration of case against him and handed over his portfolio to Chief Minister.[22]
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