Homecoming of volleyball hero Ranjit Singh

Though currently employed with the Punjab Police, former international volleyball player Ranjit Singh continues to give back to the sport by mentoring young players in his village.

Born and brought up in Lalpur, Tarn Taran, he purposefully takes out time to guide enthusiastic youngsters who aspire to build a career in volleyball. Along with veteran volleyball players from his village, he helped set up a ground and arranged for a coach. Whenever his schedule allows, he contributes by offering vital tips to the players.

He retired from the national team in 2020 and last played professionally for the Ahmedabad Defenders in the Pro Volleyball League, calling it a day in 2024 at the age of 36.

A setter by position, Ranjit first donned the Indian jersey at the age of 17 with the youth team and later captained the senior national team in 2014. He says the toughest challenge was staying fit, which is why many players struggle to extend their careers. His commitment to fitness allowed him to play at the top level for many years.

He played in the third All India Volleyball Tournament in 2016, where he was named the Most Valuable Player in the Boys’ under-18 category.

Ranjit joined the Punjab Police in May 2017 and is currently posted in Tarn Taran. Despite his official duties, he finds time to visit his village and remain involved with budding players.

Throughout his career, he represented India in several major tournaments: the Asia Cup in 2012, the Senior Asian Championship in 2013, and as captain, won a silver medal in the 2014 Asia Cup. He also captained the Indian team at the 2014 Asian Games, won a gold medal in the 2016 SAF Games, played in the 2018 Asian Games, the 2019 Asian Championship and the Olympic Qualifiers in 2020.

In his early years, Ranjit participated in the Youth Asian Championship in Sri Lanka in 2008, the Junior World Cup in Pune in 2009, the Youth World Cup in Italy in 2009, the Junior Asian Championship in Thailand in 2010 and the Junior World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2011.

When Ranjit joined the Jalandhar Sports Hostel and chose volleyball as his sport, his only goal was to join the Indian Army like his brother. Neither he nor his family imagined that he would go on to play for India.

He eventually became the most expensive player in the Pro Volleyball League auction, bought for Rs 13 lakh by the Ahmedabad Defenders for the inaugural season, which began on February 2, 2019.