"In order to transform Punjab once again into apowerhouse of sports in the country and get the youth hooked to sports, we allwould have to make collective efforts for which the veterans also need to comeforward". This was stated here today at Lyallpur Khalsa College by theSports and Education Minister Pargat Singh during his address on the occasionof final match of 4th Baba G.S. Bodhi Veteran Hockey League.
The Minister, who is also former Olympian, played hockey withthe veterans and showcased his dribbling skills. The younger players were muchinspired and enthused by the former skipper and olympian and they clickedselfies with him. The occasion also saw the former olympians Harpreet SinghMander and Sanjeev Kumar, who played in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics under theCaptaincy of Pargat Singh, marking their presence. The trio reminisced abouttheir old days.
The Minister also announced Rs. 5 lakh for astroturf at theLyallpur Khalsa College and Rs. 2 lakh for Baba G.S. Bodhi club. The Ministeralso said that it feels great to see the players of yore participating in theleague organized to commemorate the coach G.S. Bodhi who was much loved by all."The players of yesteryear would have to come forward in order to create acongenial atmosphere for sports because these veterans are the role models ofyouth who would be inspired to take up sports to follow the examples set bythese great players", said Pargat Singh.
The Sports Minister further stated that the sports constitutean inseparable part of our society and we need to stay connected with thesports all our lives and not just during childhood or youth. He also mentionedthat the happiness which is experienced by holding the hockey stick in hand isbeyond words.
The Principal of Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar Dr.Gurpinder Singh Sapra while expressing heartfelt thanks to the Minister, saidthat it is the good fortune of the youth, sports, education and NRIs of Punjabthat they are being headed by a competent and dynamic personality. On theoccasion, the Chief Sponsor of the league Baldev Singh Kang (Prabal TMT Steel)assured that he would remain associated with the sport of hockey in future too.The President of the club Daljit Singh thanked all the guests and players.
In the final match of the league, Olympian Jagdev Singh Club,Jalandhar beat National Hockey Club, Kapurthala 2-0 to win the tournament.
Among others present on the occasion included hockeyolympians Devinder Singh Garcha and Varinder Singh, Dronacharya AwardeeOlympian Rajinder Singh Junior, Kuldeep Singh, Gurmeet Singh Meeta, SurinderSingh Bhapa, Harinder Singh Sangha, Hockey Coach Baljit Kaur, Jagjit Singh,Gurmit Singh, Sukhdarshan Kaur Kang and Satpal Singh Munshi.