Hockey skipper Rajpal to marry shooter Avneet

Sudhanshu Bisen, TNN

NAGPUR: The angry young man of Indian hockey has finally found something to be happy about. And no, it’s not just the Asian Champions trophy triumph that’s the sole reason behind Rajpal Singh’s delight.

The Indian hockey captain is all set to get married to shooter Avneet Kaur Sidhu by the year-end.

The date of the marriage has not yet been decided. “My parents and other family members will be planning the date of marriage once I return home. They will take the final call,” Rajpal told TOI on Tuesday, shortly after the team’s arrival from China.

The love story of the two high-profile sportspersons began in 2009 during the Commonwealth Games preparatory camp in Pune. Rajpal got attracted towards the shooter from Bhatinda and it wasn’t long before Cupid struck. The two will join an elite group of Arjuna awardee couples. While Rajpal got the award this year, Avneet had received the coveted title a couple of years back.

Back to the game, Rajpal is undeterred by India being stripped of hosting the Champions Trophy. “Off-the-field issues have done least harm to our focus on the upcoming Olympic qualifiers. Though it would have been better had India hosted the Champions Trophy, we know, as players, certain things are beyond our control. We can’t do much about it. We are fully focused on doing well in the qualifiers,” said Rajpal.

“Our morale was high all through the Asian Championship and the title has done wonders to our confidence. We will be looking to carry forward the good work in the qualifiers as well. I am sure the much talked about home advantage will be beneficial to us as well,” he added.

Rajpal was also enthralled after his side beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. “A game against Pakistan, that too a final, is much more than just a match. Though we being on a neutral venue helped a bit, we knew we had to beat Pakistan. The fact that we didn’t lose any of the games in the tournament helped us going into the final. I’m glad the boys lived up to the expectations in the title match as well,” said the jubilant skipper.

The 28-year old was also all praise for new coach Michael Nobbs, for whom this was the first assignment.