Manpreet Singh holds a rare distinction in Indian kabaddi: he has won the Pro Kabaddi League title both as a player and as a head coach, a feat achieved by very few individuals in the sport. Known across the league as the “Animated Coach” for his passionate, expressive touchline celebrations, Manpreet has built one of the most respected coaching careers in the Pro Kabaddi League, culminating in a historic title win with the underdog Haryana Steelers in 2024.
This article covers everything about Manpreet Singh the kabaddi coach, including his age, background, playing career, coaching journey and achievements.
Who Is Manpreet Singh
Manpreet Singh is an Indian kabaddi coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach of Haryana Steelers in the Pro Kabaddi League. As a player, he captained the Patna Pirates squad that won the league’s third season in 2014, working alongside and helping guide young raiders including a then-emerging Pardeep Narwal. He later transitioned into coaching, leading Gujarat Giants to back-to-back finals before taking charge of Haryana Steelers, whom he guided to their first ever PKL title in Season 11 in 2024, defeating the very franchise he once captained, Patna Pirates, in the final. This win made him the first individual in Pro Kabaddi League history to win the title as both a captain and a head coach.
Manpreet Singh Age
Manpreet Singh was born on January 26, 1985, in Punjab, India. This makes him around 41 years old as of 2026.
Early Life and Family
Manpreet Singh was born into a modest Sikh farming family in Punjab. His parents reportedly wanted him to focus on his studies rather than sport, but his passion for kabaddi from a young age eventually won them over. He began his kabaddi journey playing in local and district-level tournaments, where his agility, discipline and determination quickly helped him stand out, before he went on to represent Punjab University at the collegiate level, further sharpening his skills and reputation in the sport.
Note: A significant amount of low-quality biographical content circulating online about Manpreet Singh the kabaddi coach appears to have been mistakenly copied from the unrelated biography of a different public figure, Indian field hockey captain Manpreet Singh, including incorrect details about marriage and family background. Reliable, verified details about Manpreet Singh the kabaddi coach’s personal and family life beyond his sporting career are limited in credible public sources, and this article only includes information that is consistently corroborated by established kabaddi journalism outlets.
Playing Career
Manpreet Singh’s playing career in the Pro Kabaddi League is best remembered for his role as captain of Patna Pirates in the league’s third season, in 2016. Though he did not contribute heavily in individual raid or tackle points himself, his primary role on the mat was to control the pace of the game, reading situations expertly and knowing when to slow the tempo down during critical moments or when his team was trailing. Under his on-court captaincy, Patna Pirates defeated U Mumba in the final to win their first ever Pro Kabaddi League title, with Manpreet playing alongside and helping guide the tactical development of raiders including Rajesh Mondal and a young Pardeep Narwal, who would go on to become one of the greatest raiders in the sport’s history. During his playing days, Manpreet also reportedly underwent a significant personal transformation, losing around 47 kilograms over six months through intense discipline, in order to return to peak playing fitness.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Manpreet Singh transitioned into coaching, becoming head coach of Gujarat Giants (then known as Gujarat Fortune Giants) starting in Season 5 of the Pro Kabaddi League. He led the team to the final in his very first season as a head coach, though they lost to Patna Pirates. He guided the team to a second consecutive final in Season 6, where they were defeated by Bengaluru Bulls. This established him as one of the league’s most respected tacticians despite the two final defeats.
Manpreet later joined Haryana Steelers as head coach from Season 9 of the league. He guided the team to the final in Season 10, only to fall short again, this time against a dominant Puneri Paltan side. Persisting through what had by then become three final defeats as a coach, Manpreet finally broke through in Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League, leading the underdog Haryana Steelers to their first ever title on December 29, 2024, defeating Patna Pirates in the final. The win was widely regarded as a full-circle, career-defining moment, given his history of near-misses in previous finals, and cemented his reputation as one of the finest coaching minds in Indian kabaddi. He continued as head coach for Season 12 in 2025, working to help Haryana Steelers defend their title, guiding the team through a mid-season slump to ultimately secure qualification for the top eight.
Playing Stats
Manpreet Singh’s playing career in the Pro Kabaddi League was brief but successful, spanning a single season in which he served as captain of the title-winning Patna Pirates side.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season Played | Season 3 (2016) |
| Team | Patna Pirates (as Captain) |
| Matches Played | 13 |
| Total Points | 29 |
| Raid Strike Rate | 22% |
| Tackle Strike Rate | 38% |
| Final Performance | 1 point from 12 raids in the Season 3 final vs U Mumba |
| Result | PKL Season 3 Champion |
Note: A small number of sources list his total Season 3 points slightly differently, at 24 rather than 29, though the official Pro Kabaddi League player database records his tally at 29 points from 13 matches.
Coaching Record
| Season | Team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Season 5 | Gujarat Fortune Giants (now Gujarat Giants) | Runner-up, lost final to Patna Pirates |
| Season 6 | Gujarat Fortune Giants | Runner-up, lost final to Bengaluru Bulls |
| Season 10 | Haryana Steelers | Runner-up, lost final to Puneri Paltan |
| Season 11 (2024) | Haryana Steelers | Champion, beat Patna Pirates in the final on December 29, 2024 |
| Season 12 (2025) | Haryana Steelers | Qualified for the top 8 after a mid-season slump |
Manpreet Singh’s Season 11 title win with Haryana Steelers, achieved by defeating Patna Pirates, the very franchise he had captained to the title as a player, made him the first individual in Pro Kabaddi League history to win the title as both a captain and a head coach.
Coaching Style
Manpreet Singh is widely known throughout the Pro Kabaddi League as the “Animated Coach,” recognized for his passionate, highly expressive touchline presence, jumping, clapping and shouting in reaction to nearly every point during matches, much as if he were still playing on the mat himself. Beyond this visible energy, his coaching philosophy is centered on collective team effort rather than building a franchise around a single star raider or defender, with every player expected to contribute meaningfully to the team’s success. His sharp tactical understanding of game situations, honed during his playing days, has remained a hallmark of his coaching career.
Achievements
Manpreet Singh’s key achievements include winning the Pro Kabaddi League title as a player with Patna Pirates in Season 3 (2014), and later winning the title again as head coach of Haryana Steelers in Season 11 (2024), making him one of the very few people in the league’s history to win a title in both capacities. As a coach, he also led Gujarat Giants to consecutive finals in Seasons 5 and 6, and guided Haryana Steelers to the final in Season 10 before their eventual title win the following season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Manpreet Singh, the kabaddi coach?
He was born on January 26, 1985, which makes him around 41 years old as of 2026.
Which team does Manpreet Singh coach?
He is the head coach of Haryana Steelers in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Has Manpreet Singh won the Pro Kabaddi League title?
Yes, he won the title as a player with Patna Pirates in Season 3 (2014), and again as head coach of Haryana Steelers in Season 11 (2024).
Why is Manpreet Singh called the “Animated Coach”?
He is known for his passionate, expressive touchline behavior during matches, including jumping, clapping and shouting in reaction to points, much like a player still on the mat.
Which player did Manpreet Singh mentor early in his career?
As a player-mentor figure with Patna Pirates in Season 3, he helped guide the tactical development of a young Pardeep Narwal, who went on to become one of kabaddi’s greatest ever raiders.
Which teams has Manpreet Singh coached before Haryana Steelers?
He previously served as head coach of Gujarat Giants (then Gujarat Fortune Giants), leading them to consecutive finals in Seasons 5 and 6.
What were Manpreet Singh’s playing stats in the Pro Kabaddi League?
As a player and captain of Patna Pirates in Season 3, he played 13 matches, scoring 29 points with a 22% raid strike rate and 38% tackle strike rate.
On what date did Manpreet Singh win his first title as coach?
He led Haryana Steelers to their first PKL title on December 29, 2024, defeating Patna Pirates in the Season 11 final.
Which players has Manpreet Singh helped develop as a coach?
He has been credited with helping develop several players, including Pawan Sehrawat, known as the “Hi-Flyer,” whose rise into one of the league’s finest raiders he has attributed in part to his training methods.
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