5 stars from Amritsar: Aim for glory, say hockey players’ kin

Realising my dream of playing in Oly: Dilpreet’s father

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 2

In the two Indian hockey teams that have entered the semifinals in Tokyo, five are from Amritsar district — four men and one woman — quite a feat indeed.

Harjinder Kaur, mother of Gurjit Kaur, who scored the all-important goal in the women’s team win today, said Gurjit’s prayers and hard work have been blessed by ‘Guru Maharaj’. The family is based in Miadi Kalan village in Ajnala. Gurjit’s cousin Gurcharan Singh said the entire village was upbeat after learning of her feat. “Despite there being no hockey culture in the village, both Gurjit and her sister Pardeep played the game,” he said.

Making village proud

The four players from the district who are in the men’s team are Shamsher Singh of Attari, Dilpreet Singh of Butala, Gurjant Singh of Khaliara and Harmanpreet Singh of Timmowal village.

Shamsher’s father Hardev Singh, a farmer, said he enjoyed watching each match on TV, and vividly remembers the goal his son scored against Argentina.

Dilpreet’s father Balwinder Singh, who had played the nationals from 1990 to 1996, said: “I keenly watched each match. Dilpreet gave several good passes to his teammates, who converted them. It was like realising my own dream of playing in the Olympics.”

Gurjant’s father Baldev Singh said all residents of Khaliara village were elated with his son’s performance. Gurjant was inspired to take up the sport by his maternal uncle Hardev Singh Chahal.

Harmanpreet’s father Sarbjit Singh said he was proud of his son and the team. “I think the team performed well and I wish them luck for the semifinal tomorrow,” Sarbjit said.