Gurjinder hits jackpot

Chandigarh Comet’s drag-flicker named WSH Rockstar, earns Rs 1-cr award

Everything seemed to be going according to plan after the Chandigarh Comets had taken a 4-1 lead in their semi-final against Pune Strykers on Sunday evening. But Pune fought back impressively to ultimately win the game through penalty shoot-out, and birthday boy Gurjinder Singh who had by then emerged tournament’s top-scorer along with Pakistani veteran Imran Warsi with 19 goals was left crestfallen.

It was a result hard to fathom for the drag-flicker who had just turned 18. However, he was rejoicing yesterday after being declared the Rockstar of the WSH. And not only that, he just got richer by a whopping Rs one crore! This is a figure unheard of in hockey and naturally, the boy from Sangatpur village in Punjab was overwhelmed.

“The WSH is a great opportunity for youngsters like me. I got a chance to play here and showcase my drag flicks. Junior players should get proper opportunity and the atmosphere to compete and show their talent,” said Gurjunder who has impressed everyone with his abilities.

Gurjinder honed his early skills at the Chandigarh Hockey Academy under coach Gurvinder Singh and Jasbir Singh Bajwa. “I train four days a week, and hit around 250 balls per day in a span of 2 to 2 ½ hrs daily. It involves a lot of hard work,” he said about his training schedule.

Gurjinder who made his junior India debut at the Sultan Johor Cup in 2011 said he was inspired by Jugraj Singh, who triggered a new trend for drag-flickers in Indian hockey in the early 2000s, to try his hand at drag-flicking. “Jugraj Singh and Sandeep Singh are my inspirations. I have been lucky to train with both of them. Sandeep was very suppotive in the India camp and said I would be an asset for any team,” he said.

The village he belongs to is often confused with the place where former India striker Prabhjot Singh hails from, but Gurjinder clarified that it’s just that Prabhjot’s village happens to be nearby. “My village is near to his village, so people think that we come from the same village.”