Gurdaspur’s hockey legacy set for revival with new turf
A good player plays where the ball is; a great player plays where the ball is going to be. This is the mantra drilled into the minds of young hockey players by Canadian citizen and former international player, Kushwant Singh Bajwa.
“Eat, sleep, play hockey, repeat.” This motto defines the spirit at the New Gurdaspur Hockey Club, an institution fuelled by the passion of Bajwa and Rajesh Sharma, a hockey enthusiast and the club’s secretary.
The players practise at the Government College grounds, where the club also oversees the Gurdaspur District Hockey Association, responsible for player training and participation in state-level tournaments.
Bajwa is determined to preserve and build on Gurdaspur’s hockey legacy, a district known for producing numerous renowned players. These include penalty corner specialist Surjit Singh Randhawa (who has competed in one Olympics, three World Cups, and two Asian Games), Mukhbain Singh (Dhyan Chand Awardee and Olympian), Prabhjot Singh (Arjuna Awardee, Asian and Commonwealth Games medalist, and Asia Cup winner), Ramandeep Singh (Olympian) and Sukhwinder Singh Gabbar (a Gurdaspur-born Canadian hockey
player).
However, Bajwa recognises without an astroturf pitch, the game’s development will be limited. To address this, he reached out to Tokyo Olympian Rupinder Pal Singh, now an Assistant Commissioner in Gurdaspur and a key figure in the district’s administration. Singh, aware of the importance of artificial turf for modern hockey, has been instrumental in moving the project forward. The proposal, which has already gained approval from the Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner, Aditya Uppal, is now awaiting final clearance from the Director (Sports). The project, pegged at a cost of Rs 7.50 crore, promises to be a game-changer.
Rupinder’s posting in Gurdaspur has galvanised the district’s hockey community. Known for his skillful drag-flicks, he represented India at the Tokyo Olympics before retiring from international hockey. His presence in the district is seen as a tremendous boost for local players, inspiring a new generation to take up the sport.
Together, Bajwa and Rajesh Sharma are working to revive hockey at the grassroots level, especially in the villages. “If we catch them young in the villages, it will undoubtedly benefit the entire district,” said Sharma.
The key difference between playing on an astroturf and a grass field, according to Bajwa, is the speed and control it offers. “The astroturf creates a faster game with more predictable ball control, whereas grass hockey is slower and requires more maintenance. Astroturf is ideal for high-level competition due to its uniformity and speed, whereas grass hockey demands different stick skills and tactics. On grass, players tend to play with their body more erect, while the turf requires players to bend their body, generating more speed and control,” explained Bajwa, who hails from Chodd village, just yards from the international border.
Bajwa’s journey from playing grade-1 club hockey in Australia to becoming a successful real estate entrepreneur in Canada is an inspiring example of the opportunities that hockey can offer. In 2012, he established the United Brothers Field Hockey Academy in Brampton, Canada, to continue promoting the sport.
The Sikh community and Punjab have long been a fertile ground for exceptional hockey talent, creating a legacy within a legacy in Indian hockey. Bajwa and Sharma now aim to enrich this legacy by nurturing future stars from Gurdaspur.
The world of sports often celebrates “rags-to-riches” stories, demonstrating the transformative power of dedication, talent, and perseverance. Rajesh Sharma ensures that no player, regardless of their socio-economic background, is left behind. “The club covers the expenses for players born into poverty,” said Sharma, ensuring that financial constraints don’t hinder their progress.
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Amritsar