Canada based sports promoter Gurprit Singh Johal today handed over a cheque of Rs. 4 crore to Priyank Bharati, deputy commissioner who is also the president of Olympian Surjit Singh Memorial Hockey Society for the promotion of hockey in the state. Johal said that considering the contribution of the society in successfully organising international level hockey competition every year in memory of Olympian Surjit Singh, he decided to assist the society with this money back up.

He said that he would persuade his other NRI colleagues also to generously contribute to the society which had been doing a lot for the promotion of national game.

Bharati while expressing his gratitude for the gesture shown by Johal, said that the amount contributed by him would definitely strengthen the game and motivate other NRIs as well to assist the society financially.

He also appreciated the efforts and contribution made by the NRIs especially, the US based Indian industrialist Ranjit Singh Tut, Bobbu Sohi of Canada, Navdeep Badesa, Ravinder Pawar of UK, Kam Gill, Amarjit Singh Dhillon, PS Bhatia, and Charanjit Singh all from the US for the promotion of the game and development of the society.

Iqbal Singh, secretary of the society said that the society would appeal to the state government to honour NRI sports promoters on the National Sports Day by conferring them upon with Punjab Sports Awards.

On this occasion, Jasbir Singh, GS Grewal, Ram Partap, Amrik Singh (UK), Surinder Singh Bhapa and NK Aggarwal were also present.