From obscurity to opportunity: Ghamaur village kids kick off new chapter with football

A nondescript village Ghamaur, situated in Balachaur subdivision of Nawanshahr, is scripting a new chapter through football. Until a few months ago, most children, belonging to financially humble backgrounds, here did not even know much about the game. Today, they march onto the village ground with pride, donning matching T-shirts labeled “Ghamaur 1,” “Ghamaur 2,” “Ghamaur 3” — a symbolic show of unity and hope.

Most of their (kids) fathers are daily wagers.

Behind this inspiring transformation is a retired CRPF Inspector, Jaspal Singh, who has dedicated his post-retirement life to steering children away from the grip of drugs and toward the discipline of sports.

Singh retired in February this year. During his years of service, he would often return to Ghamaur in holidays and bring footballs to engage the village’s children. What began as a small effort to arouse curiosity in the sport has now grown into a full-fledged grassroots movement.

After retirement, Jaspal Singh wasted no time. He made announcements from the village gurdwara and visited families personally, urging parents to send their children to the local ground. The mission was clear: get kids on the field, keep them away from drugs and give them a chance at something better.

Jaspal Singh also remained a football player in his school time and when he joined the CRPF, he got selected in the football team and played several tournaments.

Soon, alongside his brother Jagdish Singh Sodhi, who retired from Punjab police, Jaspal Singh started training 30 to 40 children — most of them from underprivileged backgrounds. The village ground has now become the heartbeat of Ghamaur every evening, echoing with the sound of laughter, whistles and footballs thudding against feet.

The brothers’ commitment didn’t stop at daily practice. When a summer football camp was organised in Nawanshahr in June, they personally drove the kids to the venue. As attendance grew, they even arranged a tempo traveler to ensure no child missed the opportunity to train and learn advanced techniques, because of their own constraints. They both accompanied the children to Nawanshahr during the 30-day summer camp.

“I have given them proper kits now. They are so happy,” Jaspal Singh shared with The Tribune. “I am doing everything on my own. I just want the children of my village to stay connected with sports so that drugs can never be part of their lives.”

Jaspal has also decided to hold tournaments so that the kids could grow in sports.

Jaspal’s self-funded initiative not only provides athletic training, but also instills discipline, teamwork and ambition in the young minds of Ghamaur. For many of these children, football is now more than just a game, it’s a path to empowerment, identity and hope.

This small village is scripting a powerful story of change with Jaspal Singh’s help.

Jalandhar