Cop-turned-coach Baljinder nurturing nursery of budding boxers with selfless service for 20 yrs

In an age where everybody complains of shortage of time to pursue one’s passion, an assistant sub- inspector (ASI) with Punjab Police, boxing coach Baljinder Singh, is a true example of selfless service and time management.

The success of this lone warrior can be gauged from the fact that in the last 20 years of his coaching career, his trainees have won over 300 national and six international medals.

Baljinder Singh who trains budding boxers at Khalsa College during his free time, said, “I started training students in 2004. At that time, boxing was considered a game for those who are more interested in brawls and fights than studies.”

Presently, two of his students are MTech students, two MBBS students while many others are pursuing a Master’s degree. “My objective is to make students disciplined. Boxing comes next and if someone is disciplined, he is bound to excel in life,” said Singh.

Baljinder had played till national level in boxing before he joined the police. Presently, he is also credited with helping at least 130 boxers secure jobs in various state and Central government departments. “Admit it or not but every middle-class boxer’s family aspires that he or she gets a permanent job,” he said, adding that five of his former students are Class 1 officers in government departments.

Talking about his target as a boxing coach, Singh said, “Till date, only three boxers from Punjab have represented India in Olympics. I am hopeful that one of our players would be ready to represent Punjab in boxing by the year 2028.” Singh also takes keen interest in the problems faced by his players.

“There was a time when girls could not even think of joining boxing. Presently, 20 per cent of the players I coach are girls,” he said, adding that more and more parents should train their girls in boxing as it would teach them self-defence and instill in them a sense of confidence.

When asked if it is not difficult for him to divide time between his job, family and boxing, Baljinder said, “Usually, I am free in the morning and evenings, so time is not a problem. Moreover, my seniors in the department are also passionate about sports and whenever there is a tournament, I get all required help from them in terms of adjustment of duty hours.”