During the 2026 Hockey World Cup, the biggest moment of pride for Punjab was that 9 players in the Indian squad represented the state. The journey of these stars, who wear the national jersey at the international level, usually begins on the small, dusty grounds of villages. A similar effort is taking shape in the Jandiala Guru area of Amritsar district, where a young man’s passion is laying the foundation to turn village kids into world-class athletes.
Sacrificing Family Income for Sports
For farmers, a piece of land is dearer than life itself, especially when their livelihood depends on it. Amritsar resident Pradeep Singh has set a unique example by converting his family’s 1.5-acre land into a hockey ground instead of leasing it out. Children from the village receive entirely free hockey training on this ground. This is not a business, but a pure dedication to sports.
Pradeep Singh, the founder of the hockey academy, shared that no fees are charged from any child joining his academy. Furthermore, coaches have been hired to provide free and quality training, and he personally manages their salaries along with the entire maintenance of the sports ground.
An Unfulfilled Dream and a New Vision
Pradeep Singh’s decision stems from his childhood experiences. Recalling his past, he shared that during his school days, while teams for other sports were being formed, there was no scope or team for hockey in his area. He bought a hockey stick and ball, but could never play because he couldn’t find teammates. He mentioned that as he grew older, the pain of missing out stayed with him, strengthening his resolve that the next generation must get the opportunity he was denied. This vision led to the inception of the Kids Play Hockey Academy.
The Journey from Panchayat Ground to Private Land
The journey of building this ground was not easy. Pradeep explained that he initially used the village Panchayat land to build a football ground for the children. However, someone taunted him, saying that if he truly felt for the village kids, he should use his own land. Taking this seriously, Pradeep left the Panchayat land and decided to convince his parents.
Pradeep Singh’s father shared that they were initially worried, as the family earned an annual lease of 1.5 lakh rupees from that 1.5-acre land. However, Pradeep’s mother reasoned that their son’s passion was to help kids play and guide them onto the right path, prompting the family to willingly dedicate their property to the children’s future.
A Background in Social Service
Pradeep’s father noted that Pradeep has been at the forefront of social welfare since a young age. He has always been involved in tasks like cleaning village streets and drains, serving in religious programs, and selflessly reciting prayers in people’s homes. His main goal has always been to save village kids from bad company and steer them towards sports and good deeds.
Emphasis on Physical Fitness
Special attention is given to the physical fitness of the children at the academy. The academy’s fitness coach stated that they monitor the kids’ fitness morning and evening. They believe that whether it is hockey, football, volleyball, or any other sport, a player’s fundamental foundation is physical fitness. As a result, a new fitness trend is being cultivated among the local youth.
Dreams of Young Athletes
The morale of the kids playing on this ground is sky-high. Trainee Shubhdeep Singh expressed his deep love for hockey, thanking Pradeep Singh and the organizers, whom he considers his mentors. His goal is to become a star like the Indian team’s Harmanpreet Singh, play internationally, and bring glory to his village and academy in Punjab. Another player, Armaan Singh, stated that Pradeep Singh’s effort to prepare the ground gave him the chance to play hockey. Armaan hopes to reach the Olympic Games in the coming years and win a gold medal for the country.
Encouragement from International Players
Pradeep Singh shared that this rural initiative has received full support from international-level players. Indian hockey team player Gurjant Singh initially distributed hockey sticks to the kids. The captain of the Indian team provided kits and goalkeeping gear. Additionally, international player Jarmanpreet Singh also extended his support. During the academy’s inauguration, WWE wrestler Satnam Singh from the USA and hockey player Jarmanpreet Singh personally attended to boost the children’s morale.
Managing Expenses through Personal Hard Work
Speaking about his livelihood, Pradeep Singh revealed that alongside serving in the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), he also drives a taxi. He channels a portion of his taxi earnings directly into this sports ground and the children’s needs, ensuring that the local youth never face a shortage of sports facilities.
Stepping Towards the 2036 Olympics
Hockey academy founder Pradeep Singh stated that their main target is the 2036 Olympic Games. He wants at least one or two kids trained on this small rural ground to represent India. While the world watches the results of major tournaments, on this Amritsar ground, Pradeep Singh is watching his unfulfilled dream come true through the eyes of the next generation.
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