Sim Bhullar visits Golden Temple, Pingalwara

AMRITSAR: Gursimran Singh or Sim Bhullar who on April 7 became the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA came home to Amritsar to a rousing welcome

Updated At : 06:05 AM May 06, 2015 IST

<p>Canadian basketball player Sim Bhullar (centre) visited Pingalwara along with his family in Amritsar on Tuesday. photo: vishal kumar.</p>

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 5,

Gursimran Singh or Sim Bhullar, who on April 7 became the first player of Indian descent to play in the NBA, came home to Amritsar to a rousing welcome. The 7’5” centre for Sacramento Kings visited the city on a personal tour and paid obeisance at the Golden Temple along with the members of his family.

The 22-year-old sports star, who made a sensational debut in the NBA with Sacramento Kings also fulfilled a promise made years ago. He donated Rs 5 lakh to the welfare of inmates at Pingalwara, a place he said was close to his heart. “As a child, my parents used to donate whatever they could to the Pingalwara and our family was connected with the social activities of society. I was made aware about the selfless service of Bhagat Puran Singh by my parents and I wanted to continue our family’s legacy,” he told the media. He also brought along gifts for the inmates, which his sister said his mother saved for each game earned during his NBA debut season.

On a tour to promote the game of basketball and help train the top 140 youth from across India who participated in the Reliance Foundation Jr. NBA programme, the NBA’s premier grassroots event, the towering sports star is happy to share a few tips. “I am very excited to travel to India to see first hand how basketball’s popularity has grown and to meet young basketball players across the country. Hopefully sharing my story will help inspire young Indians to pursue their dreams on and off the court, just as I have.”

Bhullar was accompanied by his sister, Avneet Kaur, and his family based at Majitha. One of the tallest men in the game, Sim kept his conversation short, only answering questions regarding his current visit. His sister Avneet filled in with some answers regarding the interesting lifestyle of her ‘big’ brother. “It’s difficult to find shoes and clothes with his size, you know, and we get them made in bulk from here,” she said. Well, with a shoe size of 22, customised is the word!