20 Facts Which Prove Why Sandeep Singh Deserves The Movie Soorma

Moviegoers will soon witness the inspiring story of Indian hockey legend Sandeep Singh in ‘Soorma’, which will not only show his remarkable talent with the stick and ball but also present his dauntless comeback on the field from a wheelchair. Paralysed by a gunshot wound, the now 32-year-old Singh would have faded into oblivion but scripted a turnaround for himself that is worthy of a never-ending standing ovation.

Diljit Dosanjh, the actor who plays Singh in ‘Soorma’ said:

“What I didn’t know was how a man who was shot, stood up, recovered and made a world record. It is shameful that we didn’t know, but we didn’t know”.

1. Sandeep Singh is one of the world’s best drag-flickers. The speed of his flick has been reported to be around 145 kmph.

2. Singh was shot below the waist when the gun of an RPF official went off accidently in the Shatabdi Express on 22 August 2006.

The bullet pierced some of his vital organs and left him wheelchair-bound for around two years. At the time, Singh was travelling from Ambala to New Delhi to participate in the World Cup in Germany.

3. It was the shooting incident which forced Singh out of World Cup Hockey tournament in 2006.

But Singh fought against all odds and continued to try and walk. He never gave up, like a true warrior. Eventually, Singh managed to not just stand up but also play as a pro on the field.

4. His wife, Harjinder Kaur, is an international hockey player. They got married in 2008, two years after the shooting incident.

5. He made a successful comeback in 2008 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and became the top scorer with 8 goals.

6. As captain of the Indian hockey team in 2009, Singh led the Men in Blue to victory in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup for the first time in 13 years.

He was adjudged the Man of the Tournament in the tournament.

7. His mastery over the drag-flick has earned him the sobriquet ‘Flicker Singh’.

Hockey legend Jamie Dwyer rated him as the best as late as 2014.

8. Thanks to his prolific drag-flick ability, Singh has often been the top-scorer for the team in both international and club matches.

9. The drag-flick expert has played in the Olympics, the World Cup, Champions Trophy, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Asia Cup and Champions Challenge.

10. Sandeep Singh won the team Silver in Commonwealth Games 2010 at New Delhi.

He was also the top scorer in the Commonwealth Games 2006 held at Melbourne that was played before the shooting incident.

11. In the Olympic Qualifiers for the 2012 Summer Olympics, Singh scored five goals all from penalty corners in the final match against France.

The total goals scored by him were 16 – the highest in the qualifiers.

12. Singh’s position is that of a fullback (defender) whose job it is to keep the opponent from scoring.

13. Singh scored 16 goals at the Junior Asia Cup Hockey in 2004 which helped India win the title for the first time.

His score was highest in the tournament.

14. He was inspired to play hockey after he watched his brother, Bikramjit Singh, win the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2001.

15. The iconic hockey player was the top scorer in the Hockey India League inaugural tournament in 2013.

16. Singh was also the top scorer or foreign clubs such as England’s Havant Hockey Club.

The Indian hockey legend has also played for St George Randwick Hockey Club in Australia.

17. In 2010, Sandeep Singh was honoured with the Arjuna Award – India’s highest sporting honour.

18. The six-feet-tall hockey player was born in Shahabad Markanda in Kurukshetra district of Haryana on 27 February 1986.

19. He began his career in January 2004 with Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Kuala Lumpur.

20. Singh is currently a DCP in the Haryana police and aims to be a coach.

“By conversion rate I am still the No.1 drag-flicker in India,” said Singh in a recent interview. He truly is.