An Exclusive Interview for SaddaPunjab.com
In the annals of Indian sports, few figures command the reverence and historic stature accorded to Dronacharya Awardee Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu. For over two decades, as Chief National Coach of the Indian men’s boxing team, Sandhu served as the principal architect of a movement that transformed Indian boxing from a peripheral contender into a formidable global power.
His journey began at Sainik School, Jamnagar, where compulsory boxing in the curriculum sparked a lifelong passion. After becoming a state champion, Sandhu earned his boxing coaching diploma from the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala in 1975 under the tutelage of legendary coach O.P. Bhardwaj- India’s first Dronacharya Awardee in boxing. Sandhu carried forward this rich Guru-Shishya tradition, taking charge of the national setup in 1993 and introducing scientific training, technical precision, enhanced footwork, and strategic ring intelligence.
The defining moment of Sandhu’s coaching career came at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Vijender Singh claimed a historic bronze medal in the 75kg category- the first-ever Olympic medal for Indian men’s boxing. This watershed achievement was followed by a streak of international milestones including Vijender’s bronze at the 2009 Milan World Championships, 7 medals (including 3 golds) at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, 9 medals at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and an unprecedented 8 Indian male boxers qualifying for the 2012 London Olympics.
The legendary coach sat down with SaddaPunjab.com for a candid, wide-ranging interview on his legacy, why Punjab has fallen behind Haryana in sports, and his strategic blueprint to restore Punjab’s combat sports glory.
Looking Back at the Golden Era
SaddaPunjab.com: Coach Sandhu, when you look back at your long tenure as Chief National Coach-from Vijender’s historic bronze in Beijing to qualifying eight boxers for London 2012- what stands out most about how Indian boxing evolved under your watch?
Coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu: “When I took charge of the national setup back in 1993, Indian boxers never lacked courage or stamina. What was missing was scientific preparation and tactical ring intelligence. We had to teach our boys how to read their opponents, maintain proper distance, work on footwork, and adapt instantly inside the ring. We moved away from raw aggression to building ‘smart boxers’.
When Vijender won that bronze in Beijing in 2008, it shattered a mental barrier. Suddenly, the entire nation realised that an Indian boxer could stand on the Olympic podium and beat the very best from Cuba, Russia, or Europe. Following that up with World Championship medals, Asian Games golds, and eight Olympic qualifications for London 2012 proved that Beijing was no accident- it was the result of a systematic, scientific training culture.”
The Ground Reality – Why Haryana Leads and Punjab Lags
SaddaPunjab.com: Looking at the recent Asian Games squad announcement, eight out of eleven boxers hailed from Haryana. As someone deeply rooted in Punjab, why has Haryana forged so far ahead in combat sports while Punjab seems to have lagged?
Coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu: “I will avoid making negative statements about Punjab, but we must accept the truth: Haryana is currently steps ahead of Punjab in sports infrastructure and execution. The fundamental difference lies in direct, high-level administrative backing and long-term security.
In Haryana, state ministers and even Chief Ministers actively attend state competitions. They don’t just offer praise; they announce permanent government job security and immediate financial rewards upfront. Look at boxers Vijender Singh or Akhil Kumar- they hold senior administrative posts at the SP and DSP levels. When a young boy or his parents see that sporting success guarantees a comfortable life for the family, it changes everything. In Punjab, athletes like Jaipal Singh reached the SP level largely through individual grit rather than a structured policy framework.
Furthermore, look at the contrast during selection trials at Patiala or SAI centres. Haryana parents arrive in large numbers. They rent rooms at their own expense, stand by the ring, and bring home-cooked ghee and pinnis to nourish their children. In contrast, parental presence from Punjab is minimal. In Haryana, sports is a collective family mission supported by a thriving club culture. Everyone-the athlete, the parent, and the coach- knows exactly what incentive awaits them at the finish line.”
A Grassroots Blueprint for Punjab
SaddaPunjab.com: If you were to lay out a concrete, strategic plan for the Punjab government and sports department to rebuild the boxing ecosystem from scratch, where should they start?
Coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu: “Combat sports like boxing and wrestling naturally flourish in rural, remote pockets where our youth possess innate physical resilience and hardiness. You cannot build a sports culture by only pampering athletes who have already won medals. You must establish infrastructure where potential resides.
Look at Chakkar village in Ludhiana district. Two Canadian NRI brothers- the Sidhu brothers- adopted their native village and transformed it into a world-class boxing centre. I used to go and stay there for weeks in their home, guiding and training those young boys and girls. That single village initiative produced world champion medallists like Simranjit Kaur Baatth without relying on state grants.
Punjab must adopt a three-point grassroots blueprint:
- Tehsil and Block-Level Centres: Establish at least one or two Centres of Excellence at the block and tehsil levels, specifically in villages that demonstrate a passion for boxing. All you need is a basic ring, rudimentary equipment, and a dedicated coach.
- Engage the NRI Diaspora: Punjab possesses immense NRI goodwill and wealth. The government should hand over local sports centres to committed NRIs for management and financial support while maintaining state oversight.
- Four-Zone Domestic Calendar: Punjab athletes suffer from a lack of competitive match exposure. We must divide Punjab into four distinct zones and run regular inter-zone and inter-district tournaments with attractive cash prizes. Competition sharpens talent.”
Coaching Standards, Allowances, and Youth Welfare
SaddaPunjab.com: Building infrastructure is one side of the coin, but what about the human element—the coaches and the daily welfare of young athletes? Also, how can sports help tackle the drug menace facing Punjab’s youth?
Coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu: “Coaches are the backbone of any system. Punjab has two to three coaches per district, but their technical skills must be continually updated. The government must send them for short-term refresher courses at NIS Patiala and SAI. Crucially, when state teams travel to international events like the Commonwealth Games, promising local coaches should accompany the national team as observers to learn global tactics. And coaches must receive performance-based financial incentives above their salary since incentives drive dedication.
Regarding athlete welfare, while the Punjab government introduced diet allowances and equipment support in 2023, consistency is key. A boxer needs regular, daily nutrition. Giving a lumpsum allowance once every four months is ineffective. Financial aid must be disbursed every 15 days so that athletes can maintain their daily diet without interruption. Look at private initiatives like the Inspire Institute of Sport, Reliance, or the Army Institute of Sports. They succeed because they provide structured, round-the-clock care.
As for the drug problem among our youth-it is a critical challenge, but sports is the most potent antidote. When you create an engaging sports environment, offer proper nutrition, and show a young boy a clear path to a respectable job, why would he turn to distractions? Give our youth purpose, discipline, and security, and they will choose the ring over drugs every single time.”
The Human Touch – Coaching Psychology and Life Lessons
SaddaPunjab.com: You were celebrated not just as a tactician, but as a guardian and father figure to your boxers. How did you manage high-profile stars like Vijender Singh, and what was your core coaching philosophy?
Coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu: “Coaching is only 30% physical training; the remaining 70% is psychology, empathy, and mentorship. Indian athletes are deeply attached to their families. In the national camp, officials often demanded rigid lockdowns, saying boxers shouldn’t go home for months. I secretly allowed my boxers brief weekend visits home. A boy who sees his parents returns to camp with doubled energy and motivation.
Every boxer requires a different touch. Take Vijender- he had supreme confidence. Before a bout, he would turn to me in the corner and say, ‘Sir, you sit back and relax, I will handle him.’ When a boxer has that level of self-belief, a wise coach steps back and lets him execute. With others who lacked focus, a stern word or even a motivational slap was needed to spark their fire.
Hostel boxers who came from poor families were like my own children. When an athlete knows his coach genuinely cares for his well-being, he will bleed for you in the ring.
SaddaPunjab.com: Your achievements are an example for many, but I’m sure it was because of many sacrifices and the contribution of many people. Would you like to talk about this aspect?
Coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu: “First of all, I want to thank my wife and children; without a supportive partner and an encouraging home life, I would have been easily distracted. My sincere thanks also go to the eight to ten coaches who were regularly managing our boxers and fulfilling our targets, with a special mention for Cuban coach B.I. Fernandez, who is still active as a High Performance Coach in Haryana. My gratitude to the coaches who work so hard at the grassroots level. Finally, the scientific staff, including our biometrics specialists and psychologists, played a crucial role in improving our athletes’ performance. I am deeply indebted to them.”
SaddaPunjab.com: Coach sa’ab, it has been almost ten years since your retirement. Now, when you look back at those years of active service, how do you see your life and can we end with an inspiring message from you?
Well, I now live in Patiala, in a house I built lovingly over the years. I am thankful for the life I got to live, and I thoroughly enjoyed each moment. Boxing has given me everything. My entire life in boxing taught me one fundamental principle: ‘Nothing is impossible.’ When clear vision, strategic planning, and genuine human empathy come together, an Indian boxer can conquer the world.”
Leave a Comment