But Manpreet and five others players who tested positive for the Covid-19 feel fortunate to have a support system that constantly monitored their well-being.
The midfielder has expressed that he is looking to become a much more evolved player in the next one year.
SAI said in a statement that Manpreet, Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh, Varun Kumar, Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Mandeep Singh have been placed under quarantine at its Bengaluru centre after they were discharged from the hospital.
Besides Manpreet, defender Surender Kumar, Jaskaran Singh, drag-flicker Varun Kumar and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak have also tested positive for the dreaded virus.
Manpreet Singh, captain of the men's team, has expressed that the national side has been getting better with each Olympics.
The Indian team will resume its Pro League campaign in April with an away tie against Argentina, according to a revised fixtures
After being confined to their hostel rooms at the SAI Centre here for two months, the core probables of men and women teams began outdoor training.
While the teams follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and guidelines specified by SAI and Hockey India, Manpreet feels the players too have become very conscious of following social distancing and keeping up with hygiene practices.
Women's team captain Rani Rampal expressed that her side is fortunate to continue to train for the Olympics in a safe environment.
Badminton star Ashwini Ponnappa and hockey captain Manpreet Singh are utilising the forced break to work on their fitness and game.
Manpreet became the first Indian to win the International Hockey Federation's (FIH) Player of the Year award last month, while Rani became the first-ever player to win the prestigious 'World Games Athlete of the Year' award in January.
Hockey captains Manpreet Singh and Rani Rampal were on Tuesday nominated for Dhruv Batra Player of the Year award .
The Manpreet Singh-led side claimed five points from a possible six against the Netherlands before claiming another three in a stunning 2-1 victory over Belgium, the reigning World and European champions.
India are currently third in the FIH Pro League table, with eight points in four matches.
The 27-year-old midfielder became the first from the country to win the accolade since the awards were introduced in 1999.
India men's hockey team captain Manpreet Singh is positive about India's chances at the 2020 Olympics.
Manpreet Singh has been nominated for the FIH Player of the Year award after playing a crucial role in India's qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
India will then host world champions Belgium on February 8 and 9, followed by two more home fixtures against Australia on February 22 and 23.
The Indian team is scheduled to compete at the five-month-long FIH Pro League starting January 18, featuring eight other top sides.
Hockey India on Friday named an unchanged women squad, to be led by Rani Rampal, along with the men's team for the upcoming FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers.
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