Harjeet Singh, son of a truck driver, fought all odds to realise his dreams of playing for the nation and led India Under-21 team to glorious victory at the Junior World Cup, which the country won after 15 years
By Rakesh Jha
Indian Sports News
Adversity brings the best out of you provided you are prepared to fight and Harjeet Singh had the resolve to fight back when the chips were down for him. A tale of grime, guts and glory, this son of a truck driver fought all odds to realise his dreams of playing for the nation. Not only that, he went on the lead India Under-21 team to glorious victory at the Junior World Cup, which the country won after 15 years.
“Those were difficult days for us. I used to play the game hiding from my family as they weren’t quite inclined about me taking sports as a career. We were going through difficult times financially as my father (Rampal Singh) is just a truck driver and his salary wasn’t enough to take care of our basic needs. They wanted me to study and make a career in academics,” said the 20-year-old from Niholka village near Kurali, adding that his mother didn’t have much knowledge about sports and therefore he didn’t get the backing initially.
“Though my father was a kabaddi player and my elder brother (Rajwinder Singh) was into wrestling, my mother didn’t approve me taking up sports as career. She hardly had any knowledge about that and wanted me to study. To it, there used to be a lot of traffic on the road that led to the Kurali Hockey Academy and that scared my mother as how a small child will cross that road on his way to training. But then I somehow convinced her that apart from my practice, I will do all household chores, including feeding the buffaloes and cleaning the house and then she relented,” said Harjeet, adding that at times when he used to get late in coming home after practice, he had to bear the brunt of his mother’s anger as well.
Early Days
Reminiscing his early days, Harjeet said that he started playing hockey at Kurali Hockey Academy which was very near to his village. “The academy used to give hockey kit to trainees. So initially I went there in lure of getting that kit. I must be in Class 3-4 then. But soon I started enjoying the game. My coach Amritpal Singh taught me the basics of the game,” said Harjeet, who later went on to lead India to victory against reigning world junior champions Germany in the final of the Four Nations Invitational Tournament in Valencia, Spain, last year.
However, things changed for better for the youngster once he moved to Surjit Hockey Academy in Jalandhar. “It’s one of the best academies that we have in Punjab. It wasn’t as if I got the admission all at one go. I took the trials for two years in 2006 and 2007 but failed to make the cut. Then in the third year, I sacrificed my studies and practiced hard for around six months and qualified for the academy in 2008. That changed my destiny,” said Harjeet, adding it was during that initial phase at Surjit Academy that he started dreaming about playing for the nation.
“I learnt a lot in the academy from my coaches Avtar Singh and Gurdev Singh. I started dreaming of playing for the nation and worked hard for it. I was included in the junior national team for Junior Asia Cup in 2012, while got a chance to play in the senior team in the Azlan Shah tournament last year. Things have changed for me drastically for as a player and financially. Now I can take care of my needs all by myself and even help my family financially. They have sacrificed a lot for me, especially my brother who have even done daily wage works in Dubai to support me. My cousin brother also helped me a lot. Now it’s time to pay back,” said the youngster who was named as the ‘Jugraj Singh Upcoming Player of the Year (Men-21)’ at the Hockey India Annual Awards last year and received Rs 10 lakh cheque as prize. “That award was life-changing for me,” he said.
Healthy competition with Sardar
Talking about his competition with Sardar Singh, the former Indian captain who is also a mid-fielder, said it’s a very healthy competition. “Sardar Singh is a gem of a person. I am not competing with him. I only try to learn as much as possible from him. He is such a good player. I try to imbibe his leadership qualities. I am in awe about how he manages the players,” said Harjeet, adding that leading the team to Junior World Cup victory after 15 years has given him fame and fortune.
Hockey game me Fame and Fortune
“It has given me recognition and money. Even the Punjab government has promised me Rs 25 lakh and I hope I get it after the elections. We had a fantastic batch at Surjit Academy as most of the players (8) in the Junior World Cup team were from the academy. If not in 2020, you all will find many players from this batch in 2014 Olympics,” said Harjeet confidently.
In all praise for his India U-21 coach Harendra Singh, the captain of the team said that it’s Harendra who has made this team. “It was under him that we came into the camp in 2014. He taught us everything – not just about the game, but even how to conduct and talk infront of others. He taught us the team spirit. He taught us how to live together. He used to treat everyone equal. He has made this team,” he said, adding that the main reason for the team’s success was its discipline and unity.
Strengths
Talking about his strengths, he said over the years, he has learnt how to maintain unity in the team. “I have learnt to work under pressure. I am apt at treating players under pressure. I have played from the senior team as well and hence learnt a few things from them as well,” he said.
In all praise for Hockey India League which is under progress, Harjeet said that it’s a blessing for players like him. “It’s not only good moneywise but has also helped youngsters like him to learn a lot from seniors and international players. Sharing space with legends of the game is an experience in itself,” said the Delhi Waveriders player.
