The young boy was all of sudden did not turn up for the camp. Olympian Hardayal Singh, who was one of those in charge of the Junior India camp, was perplexed. Because, he was one of the most disciplined and punctual  among his trainees.

Nirmaljeet Singh (far right) is with Dilip Tirkey (left) during a OTHL Function.

Someone told the boys has joined Income Tax Department and will not turn up. Hardayal was furious. He fumed indignantly: “Most hockey players join some jobs. It doesn’t mean they won’t turn up for the training”.

Not to give up, he went to Income Tax Head Office in ITO and enquired about the boy with the Sports Department. He was told they have not recruited any hockey player recently, and had no idea of Nirmal Jeet Singh Rajput, whom the veteran was searching.

The fact was Nirmal Jeet did join the Income Tax department, but not on sports quota but coming out successfully through an all India competition.

Neither did Hardayal see the boy again nor Nirmal return to hockey field for national sides.

Nirmal Jeet Singh, who expired today peacefully in sleep, and was cremated at Rohini today afternoon, was one of the rare hockey connoisseur in Delhi.

He was 61, leave behind wife, two sons and a daughter.

He in fact did not give up hockey. He was in touch with the sport at grassroot level, helping all the up and coming players in his close circle. In the process, he collected enormous friends.

He and his friends especially his school mate Uma Shankar Sharma, another bright player who donned the colours of DESU and was in the Junior India camps, used to assemble every Sunday and relish hockey.

It was one such occasion Nirmal Jeet Singh called me and appreciated my efforts at One Thousand Hockey Legs

instatantly, in one call, I could understand his passion for hockey.

It was roughly three years ago.

Since then he has been with me in every work the NGO did. He took care of 4,5 schools in the West Delhi, and catered to each of the boy.

He was so obsessed with the kids and their game, he used to carry gas stove and a big vessel to OTHL hockey centre in Janakpuri, boil milk and distribute to the boys after practice.

He was then Additional Commissioner of Income Tax!

In his young dys, he represented Ramjas College hockey team from Delhi University; Central Revenue team in Inter-ministry events later.

One of his rare activities include his organization of Delhi hockey veterans to his chamber in ITO office, and present them tri-colour shawls and involve in animated discussion on various aspects of hockey. This year was going to be another occasion but the Almighty had willed differently. He had retired from services last year.

Late Nirmaljeet Singh (2nd from left) used to call Delhi veterans to his ITO Chamber to celebrate Independence Day every year

“Its rare to see such a simpleton despite being in such a top post”, says veteran Uma Shankar Sharma, who dazzled for Delhi at right half for about a decade.

Both played Schools hockey, inter-zone and State together, and were integral partner in hockey for about five decades.

“I can’t believe that he is no more. Last Sunday, that is two days ago, he went to Janakpuri OTHL centre, and saw the boys doing fitness”.

He was  holding such a big post, still had a heart for kids, carrying stove and milk every Sunday”, recollected Kamleswar Suri, an IT Executive with an MNC in Mumbai, and a volunteer with OTHL.

“I interacted with him many times. He had a heart for poor kids. He spent quality time with the kids, counselling them for good life and behaviour. When I heard news I felt helplessness. May his soul rest in peace”.

Mahesh Dayal, Secretary, Delhi Hockey is very much perturbed on the sudden demise of his Guru. He posted in his social media: It’s really painful to hear that our beloved big brother / guru, Shri NJ Singh, is no more with us . It’s a great loss to Delhi Hockey that can’t be explained in words. It’s a personal loss. A true, genuine sportsman has chosen to move heaven”.

All India Combined University’s coach Rajdeep Singh recollects Nirmal Jeet’s  passion.

“Every Sunday all the boys in Janakpuri and Ashok Vihar OTHL centres used to wait for him. He will pay them, guide them, will take care of each one’s need. He will distribute shoes, shocks even high-end sticks, knowing well who needs what. He had a dream of making Delhi a vibrant hockey centre”

Rajdeep Singh, Combined Universities Coach“He never ever missed a Sunday hockey game. Such was his passion for hockey that even when he was posted at Bhatinda (in Punjab) as Jt. Commissioner he ensured his presence on Sunday  for a fun at Sonnet Hockey Club in Delhi”.

“Each Sunday he used to felicitate one of the best players of the day among  budding kids belonging to weaker sections of the society with a prize of Rs 500 to motivate them. He once told me that no players known to him  shall leave hockey game because he cannot afford the equipment..

Sandeep Shokeen, former India goalkeeper, who knew him for many years from close quarters, says: “It is very difficult to get such  soft-hearted human being let alone hockey premi. I feel very bad on knowing his untimely death.

Delhi hockey fraternity laments in unison and prays for the departed soul.