Harmanpreet Singh’s late strike thrills residents of Timmowal village

Neeraj Bagga

Amritsar, July 28

In a thrilling Paris Olympics opener, Harmanpreet Singh’s late penalty stroke secured a 3-2 victory for India against New Zealand. His goal in the final moments of the match filled Timmowal village residents and family members of Indian hockey team captain with joy.

Harmanpreet did not let the opportunity fritter away, said his beaming father Sarbjit Singh. What made the goal special was that it was scored in the last two minutes of the match, he added.

Ahead of the match several neighbours and relatives had gathered at Harmanpreet’s residence to watch the game.

There are five Amritsar players who are part of the hockey team — Harmanpreet, Gurjant Singh of Khaliara, Jermanpreet Singh of Baba Bakala, Shamsher Singh and Jugraj Singh, both natives of Attari. Harmanpreet and Jermanpreet are drafted as defenders, Shamsher as midfielder, Gurjant as forward and Jugraj as alternate athlete.

Shamsher’s father Hardev Singh, a farmer, said not only his family but the entire border village of Attari was enjoying the fact that two youngsters from the village were playing for the country in Paris.

Baldev Singh, Gurjant’s father, said the entire village hopes that the young boys will bring home a gold medal in the Olympics.