Hockey star performer Gurjit Kaur's sister rues lack of sports facilities at their village

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 6

The future of women’s hockey in India is bright and Gurjit has emerged as its shining star, beams a proud coach Varinder Singh (75), an Olympian who sat through the nail-biting battle for bronze between India and Germany in Tokyo on Friday.

Gurjit’s sister Pardeep Kaur, a coach at Sansarpur, watched the match at a hockey ground where she coaches girls. “I’m proud of my sister. She has worked really hard to reach here,” she said.

Pardeep rued lack of facilities for sports training at their village. “There is no playground or sporting facilities at our village. Gurjit practised in scorching heat to maintain her fitness levels whenever back home. At our village people arent every aware about women’s sports. So there you can’t even step out except in a suit. I hope after Gurjit’s stellar performance, the state government encourages women hockey.”

Hailing from Miadi Kalan village in Ajnala, Gurjit studied for three years at Lyallpur Khalsa College in Jalandhar, acheiving heights in hockey during the same period.

Gurjit’s two goals in four minutes remained a highlight of the match, played for bronze medal.

Throughout the Olympics, the dragflicker, also called India’s goal machine, has hit four goals–two against Germany and one each against Argentina and Australia.

Parminder Kaur, who coached her at the Lyallpur Khalsa College, said, “Wins and losses are part of life, but she has made us proud. There are going to be many Gurjits now. She has set in motion a chain of events that will lead to revival of women hockey. Several girls will take motivation from her. India has put up an exceptional peformance and Gurjit was at the centre of it.”

Pardeep Kaur said Gurjit has seen many hardships and overcome all obstacles to reach here. “We might have lost the bronze, but she has left her mark. Her journey will inspire many,” said.

Coach Varinder Singh said Gurjit has made the nation proud. “I’m amazed to observe how much she must have practised. She scored four Olympic goals and her future is only going to be brighter from here. We can expect a stronger India team in the 2024 Olympics,” he ssid.

As Gurjit’s family at Miadi Kalan saw her match on generator-powered electricity in the midst of a power cut, Pardeep quipped, “Tuhanu pata hi hai, pindan vich kinni light andi hai (long power cuts are a routine in village).”