In an unheard measure, and what can be described as a copy book case of experimentation, a host of Olympians make up the rechristined and reformed ‘Hockey Punjab’ a body that will manage the affairs crucial hockey state of Punjab.
First time in Punjab, a hockey player became its Secretary, the honour going to Pargat Singh, who proved his administrative acumen beyond doubt when successfully conceptualized and organized the Punjab Gold Cup, and also as the Director of Sports he initiated grassroot program for agegroup hockey.
Though essentially the new group looks like a remodelled Surjit Hockey Society — in the sense that so many from that Jalandhar based Society are in the new body — presence of so many Olympians in every committee, not as members, but its chairma, evokes interest.
Sukbir Singh Grewal, who played the 1978 World Cup and Chief Organizer of the world renowned ‘Kila Raipur Rural Festival’ has been named Director Coaching, while Col Balbir Singh as the Chairman of the Women’s Selection Commitee. Both the committee are composed mostly of former Olympians from the State.
Sukhbir Singh Badal, President of the Hockey Punjab, who was authorised by the by the Punjab Hockey Association (men), the Punjab Hockey Association (women), the Pepsu Hockey Association (men) and the Pepsu Hockey Association (women) to nominate his team for the smooth functioning of the newly formed Hockey Punjab, recently announced various committees. It looks almost all of Pargat Singh’s loyalists and cheer ledears made it to the list.
Vice Presidents: Bikramjit Singh Majithia, Director General of Police Mr PS Gill, Hardeep Singh Dhillon,IPS, Dr Manmohan Singh, Mrs. Nirmal Amarjit Kaur, Mrs. Anupam Vashishat, Mr. Uday Singh and Mr. L.R.Nayyar,IRS (All Vice Presidents):
joint Secretary: Mrs. Rajbir Kaur, Mr. Nitin Kohli, Mrs. Harmanpreet Kaur and Mr. Daljit Singh Treasurer: SS Kohli,
Executive Committee Members: SS Saini, Iqbal Singh Sandhu, Mrs. Sukhvinder Kaur, J Kakria, Mrs. Roopa Saini and Mrs. Harpreet Singh.
Selection Committee (Men): SS Sodhi as Chairman, Mukhbain Singh, Baldev Singh, Rajinder Singh, Col Harcharan Singh and concerned coaches.
Selection Committee (Women): Col Balbir Singh as Chairman, Varinder Singh, Balbir Singh Randhawa, PP Singh, Mrs. Baljit Kaur, Mrs. Sukhjeet Kaur and concerned coach.
Coaching panel: SS Grewal (Director Coaching), Ramandeep Singh, Gundeep Singh, Ripudaman Singh, Jugraj Singh and Manpreet Singh.
Umiring Committee: Harbans Singh (Chairman), Kirpal Singh, Mr. Suresh Bhatia and Mrs. Saroj Bala.
Media Committee: Prabjot Singh, Jagroop Singh Jhakar and Harjinder Singh Lal.