Gurjinder Singh India’s answer to penalty-corner woes
By Hindol Basu

CHANDIGARH: Over the years the Jawaharlal Nehru Hockey Tournament has seen many memorable performances. The distinguishing feature of the just-concluded 49th edition was the display for Indian Oil by up and coming young full back Gurjinder Singh.

Gurjinder was both saviour as well as match winner for Indian Oil in the Nehru tournament, scoring at several crucial moments from the team’s very first outing match against Air Force. Penalty corners or penalty strokes, he was never found wanting. Before long he should be seen donning the national jersey.

Speaking to the Times of India, Gurjinder, who plays for the Chandigarh Comets said that it was his dream to play for the country. “It was a good season for me in the World Series Hockey (WSH). I was clearly surprised when I was awarded the best performer in this edition of the WSH. This has clearly given me confidence to do well in the future and since I started wielding a hockey stick, my dream is to play for the country,” said the dynamic player.

Meanwhile, he looks forward to enter the Indian team as a penalty-corner specialist. With Sandeep Singh being sidelined for the time being it’s a good opportunity for Gurjinder to make a forceful entry into the Indian team.

“I am good in converting penalty-corners and penalty strokes. With Sandeep Singh not in the Indian team now, it gives me a chance to don the national team jersey if the selectors give me a chance. I’ll make full use of the opportunity,” said Gurjinder.

A talented product of the hockey academy in Chandigarh, he was awarded a handsome purse of Rs.1 crore when he was adjudged best performer in the World Series Hockey (WSH). He was also adjudged best in the national championship at Bangalore. Only 19, he has performed consistently well since then for Indian Oil, a team he joined eight months ago. For his outstanding performance in the Surjit Singh Memorial tournament at Jalandhar he was awarded a cheque for Rs. 25, 000.

Gurjinder, born in the village of Sangarpur in Gurdaspur district of Punjab, was both saviour as well as match winner for Indian Oil in the Nehru tournament, scoring at several crucial moments from the team’s very first outing against Indian Air Force. Penalty corners or penalty strokes, the 5ft 10in rising star was never found wanting. Before long he should be seen donning the national jersey.