Manpreet Singh, the first team coach in Pro Kabaddi 2017 to have also featured in the competition as captain of a champion team in an earlier edition, expressed thoughts on building up his new team, Gujarat Fortune Giants (GFG), challenges of captaincy in Pro Kabaddi and logic behind the switch from playing to coaching. He had led Patna Pirates to the title in Pro Kabaddi 2016, guiding the team to a 31-28 win over U Mumba at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium. The GFG squad trained at SAI, Gandhinagar, before leaving for Hyderabad to make a debut in PK season five. Excerpts from a chat on phone from Ahmedabad:
There is talk of the team winning in its debut season. From experience, you know there is a difference between expectation and reality. Your thoughts…
Sacrifices and efforts are needed to make thoughts in life into reality. Looking at the team’s performance and talent in the young bunch, even if they achieve 50 % of potential, the trophy is ours. Twelve teams in the fray, each one dreaming of winning the title. We at Gujarat Fortune Giants will do something not seen before in four seasons of Pro Kabaddi.
As member of winning squad at Patna Pirates (Pro Kabaddi season three), how many seasons were needed to understand the players’ skills and mould a group of performers into a winning combination?
Patna Pirates entered the semifinals in two seasons, did not advance beyond the stage. Season Three we had the same bunch, the captain was the only change. Patna chose me in the hope that I would guide the young players and bring out the best in them. I accepted the challenge, trained together at SAI Centre, Gandhinagar for 45 days (Gujarat Fortune Giants training base). The thinking used then remains the same now with a new team. Patna won because players were able to execute planned moves in the matches. I can see the same skill in the Gujarat group and giving 100 % effort. I feel we can do as well this season, our first.
Does captaincy change have so much effect? This season, you switched from captaincy to coaching. Is that the way ahead for other senior professionals?
The captain earlier with Patna (Pardeep Narwal) was young and so may have found it tough to deal with the situation. After taking charge, I tried to keep the team together and worked hard on the planning part. Maybe, these factors helped the side win. A successful player cannot always turn into a successful coach, leadership qualities are necessary. Getting work done from the boys, motivating them are very important for players turning coaches.
I am competing, though not in Pro Kabaddi, where the weight limit of 85 kilos is difficult to maintain full season. I am 100 kilos plus usually and play to my strengths. When I was in Pro Kabaddi, I shed 47 kilos and performing to my best over a long stretch is tough, hence took the step back. Kabaddi is a body-contact sport, reducing body weight so much can be harmful. Age is also a factor (37 years).
Sukesh Hegde is leading for the first time in Pro Kabaddi, as skipper of Gujarat Fortune Giants. Reason for choosing him?
Sukesh had been excellent for his team (Telugu Titans) last four seasons. He is a senior player in our team this year and many youngsters in GFG consider him their role model. We will be happy if he can guide teammates lesser experienced than him and also himself. When playing for Titans, Rahul Chaudhari was the biggest name in the side and would get all the credit. Sukesh put in the hard work, credit went to somebody else. Leading a new side in Pro Kabaddi is a challenge and an opportunity for him to earn fame and trophy. I feel he is ready to take charge.
