New Delhi [India], February 21: Jarmanpreet Singh, an Amritsar-born hockey player, faced a significant setback in 2015 when he tested positive for a banned substance due to back pain medication prescribed by his doctor. This led to a two-year ban, putting his hockey career in jeopardy. However, Jarman’s determination and resilience helped him overcome this obstacle and make a strong comeback in the sport.
“It was a very bad phase of my life. But now, when it has passed and I have been bestowed with success by God, I take that incident positively. Only challenging times help you learn in life,” Jarman said during his appearance on the House of Glory podcast. He credited his family for their unwavering support throughout the tough period. “Two years might seem like a short period, but it was a long time for me. I was told by my family to not leave hockey and continue playing after the ban was over,” he added.
During the ban, Jarman was not allowed to play, but he continued training with his younger brother, who played hockey in Jalandhar. “My younger brother helped me train during those two years because you are not allowed to play at all during the ban. But I kept training with my brother and his friends,” Jarman shared.
His perseverance paid off, as he not only returned to the sport but also went on to achieve remarkable success. Jarman was part of the Indian Hockey Team that won the gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games and a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His exceptional contributions were acknowledged by the Indian government, and he was honored with the prestigious 2024 Arjuna Award.
When asked about the mindset that helped him bounce back, Jarman revealed, “When people start doubting your intentions, you feel an urge to prove yourself right. So, when you set a target for yourself, you never give up. Even when you fall, you stand up again and strive to achieve your goal. So, it is important to have a target in life while also staying patient. Patience is a very important part of life, especially for sportsmen. Hence, patience and hard work both are the key to success.”
The 28-year-old also praised Hockey India’s recent initiative, the Hockey India League, which made a return after seven years and featured both national and international stars. “Hockey India League is a great step by Hockey India because a lot of new players are getting the chance to play in the tournament. The junior players are getting the opportunity to feature in the playing XI alongside senior players, which makes it a great opportunity for them. Senior players, on the other hand, get to know about other international teams and their players’ thinking,” Jarman concluded.