Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 11

Five players from Amritsar who played in the Indian men’s hockey team—which won bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—and a woman hockey player—Gurjit Kaur— were given a hero’s welcome upon reaching their native villages.

There was festive mood in villages and houses were decorated with lights and flowers. Family members offered oil as players reached their homes as a goodwill gesture.

The entire village came out to greet drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur for her brilliant performance in the Tokyo Olympics. She credited her parents for extending resolute support to her. “As there was no hockey ground in Miadia Kalan village, my parents ensured my admission in a boarding school,” said Gurjit. She called upon the government to set up more academies and Astro Turf in grounds to promote hockey among girls.

Harmanpreet Singh, vice-captain of the Indian hockey team, was taken to his home in an open jeep upon his arrival at Timmowal village. Residents showered petals and distributed sweets.

Dilpreet’s house at Butala village was decorated with lights and villagers accorded him a hero’s welcome.

Holding a Tricolour, Gurjant Singh, entered his home at Khaliara village. The moment he embraced his mother, she broke down. Gurjant’s relatives and his friend performed bhangra.

Since uncle of Shamsher had passed away this year, no celebrations were held at his residence in Attari village. A roadshow was organized from the outskirts of the village to his residence. Former cabinet minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Congress MLA Tarsem Singh DC garlanded him.

SGPC announces Rs 1 cr for men’s hockey team

• Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Bibi Jagir Kaur announced Rs1 crore for the Indian men’s hockey team and Rs5 lakh for Gurjit Kaur, a member of the Indian women’s hockey team, on Wednesday
• The SGPC had set up a special stage at the Golden Temple's entrance plaza to felicitate the players who came to pay their obeisance. SGPC president Jagir Kaur offered a siropa to each player
• Family members of the hockey players and general secretary of the Indian hockey team Rajinder Singh were also felicitated
• She said the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee was committed to encourage sports. She informed that the Indian Hockey Federation has granted approval to the hockey team of the SGPC

Harley Davidson Brotherhood Club accords warm reception

Amritsar: Members of Harley Davidson Brotherhood Club, Amritsar, extended greetings to the Indian hockey team for winning bronze medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after 41 years in their own unique way.

The club members escorted the coach ferrying 11 players of the Indian men hockey team and a woman hockey player Gurjit Kaur from Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport to the Golden Temple. As many as 12 riders of the club chose the novel way of welcoming the hockey team and the scene was no less than a treat to behold as formidable riders were following the bus.

Prabal Singh Bhullar, a rider, said, “One of our members, Aftab Boparai, a relative of Hardik, who played in the Indian hockey team, suggested us why not to ride along the bus ferrying hockey players to the Golden Temple. The idea was immediately accepted by all riders.”

Otherwise members of the club frequently go on adventurous trips to Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir. They have been on long adventurous rides to Lucknow, Agra, Jim Corbett National Park and Mount Abu in Rajasthan. — TNS