Better Facilities Needed in Dedicated Hockey Nurseries to Produce International Players: Pargat Singh
Former Indian hockey captain, Olympian, and Padma Shri awardee, MLA Pargat Singh, stated today that quality players can only be produced from hockey nurseries and dedicated villages if they are provided with state-of-the-art facilities. He urged the Punjab Government to install astro-turf grounds in villages that actively promote hockey and to revive "sports pockets" so that international-level players can be groomed effectively.
City Air News
Feb 25, 2026 11:35
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Jalandhar, February 25, 2026: Former Indian hockey captain, Olympian, and Padma Shri awardee, MLA Pargat Singh, stated today that quality players can only be produced from hockey nurseries and dedicated villages if they are provided with state-of-the-art facilities. He urged the Punjab Government to install astro-turf grounds in villages that actively promote hockey and to revive "sports pockets" so that international-level players can be groomed effectively.
Pargat Singh was speaking as the Chief Guest on the final day of a three-day hockey tournament organized by the Shaheed Jathedar Kishan Singh Gargaj Committee and the Budding Sports and Welfare Society. He remarked that it was a matter of great pride to attend an event dedicated to the 100th birth centenary of Shaheed Jathedar Kishan Singh Gargaj, who sacrificed his life for the country’s freedom. He encouraged the participating players to continue striving for excellence.
The Olympian added that hockey has consistently brought pride to Punjab on both national and international stages. "The hockey nurseries of Jalandhar have produced numerous international players and Olympians who have elevated the nation’s prestige worldwide," he said. He emphasized that such tournaments should be organized regularly to provide platforms for youth to showcase their skills. Furthermore, he noted that sports play a crucial role in steering the younger generation away from the drug menace.
Earlier, he was welcomed by Committee President and event organizer Amritpal Singh Bitta, along with team members Lakhvir Singh, Manpreet Singh, Secretary Bhupinder “Bhuppi,” Bhupinder “Pinda,” and Dalwinder Singh. The committee expressed their gratitude to the former captain for his continued guidance.
The organizers informed that the tournament was held in Budding village to help connect the youth with their rich heritage. The winning team was awarded a cash prize of ₹51,000, while the runner-up team received ₹31,000.
