A dream come true for Kurali boy

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 13

It was a dream come true for Kurali-based Gopal Hockey Academy’s player Harjit Singh Tuli as he has been selected as the skipper of India’s Under-21 men’s team for the forthcoming Volvo International Hockey Tournament at Netherlands from July 19 to 26.

His co-trainee at the same academy 18-year-old Inderpreet Kaur too cornered glory as she has also secured her berth in India’s Under-21 women’s team for the same international tourney as goalkeeper.

Both the youngsters, who belong to humble background and polished their skills at a rural academy, did not allow any odd to come in their way of success. Nineteen-year-old Tuli is native of Neholka village, while Inderpreet Kaur lives in Muddo Sangtia village in Kurali.

This is the second time when Harjit Singh Tuli, son of a truck driver, has got the honours to lead country’s team in an international tourney.

Last year, he and his teammates had made the country proud by lifting the Sultan Johar Cup in Malaysia. He was also adjudged the ‘Best player of the tournament’.

Harjit Singh, a Centre Half, was also part of India’s senior hockey team, which had won bronze medal in Asia Championship Trophy held at Japan in 2013.

Similarly, Harjit Singh’s co-trainee at Gopal Hockey Academy, Inderpreet Kaur, a Class XI student of Government Model Senior Secondary School at Sector 18, Chandigarh, is on cloud nine with her selection as goalkeeper in the U-21 team, going to Netherlands for the tourney.

Last year, she was selected as goalkeeper for Under-21 Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be held next year in Chile.

Inderpreet Kaur’s father Sukhdev Singh, an ex-serviceman, worked as stadium helper in Gopal Hockey Academy at Kurali, where Inder Preet Kaur took her hockey lessons from her coach Amrit Pal Singh.

The elated coach of both talented players, Amritpal Singh, said Tuli and Inderpreet Kaur had made the entire region proud with their achievement. “Though it’s just the beginning of their bright career, the duo would go a long way in the sport,” the coach said.

He added that both youngsters were not only dedicated and devoted players, with facing odds from their childhood they know how to overcome difficulties in the sport and life as well,” said Amritpal Singh, also general secretary of the Mohali District Hockey Association.