Let’s play!

Mona

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Camaraderie on the sports field can sometimes go the distance. Sportsmanship can sometimes generate vibes that can last a lifetime. Here are a few couples who have experienced the feeling first-hand and been together ever since.

High flick

It was match set in a hockey field. Rajbeer Kaur and Gurmail Singh got to know each other, as both were part of Indian hockey teams at the national level. He proposed, she said ‘yes’...provided the family agreed. Her mother took a little time saying ‘yes’ for she knew that she will have to anyhow go groom-hunting later. So at 19, Rajbeer got married. “What I loved was almost everyone in his family was into a sport that I wanted to pursue.” That she duly did. “He told me he would always support me in sports and he has lived by his word.”

Rajbeer played three Asian games post marriage - 1986, 1990 and 1994 - and also had a baby girl in between. “I could carry on with my career because the family understood the demands on a sportsperson. When you are playing at the international level, you are in and out of the camps and have little time for home.” Now settled in Jalandhar, together they are honing their son Shubhkarman Singh’s skills in hockey.

Right mark

Avneet Kaur Sidhu, ace shooter, met hockey star Rajpal Singh at a camp in Pune back in 2009. Avneet shared with her dad that she found him really nice and as luck would have it her father had a chance meeting with Rajpal soon. He endorsed his daughter’s judgement. Two years later, the couple married. With about a year plus baby girl to look after, the duo supports each other in their respective sports. “In fact, he designs my fitness routine too. When I am in competition, he travels along to look after our girl Fatehreet,”

Being in the sports background helps too, as they could spend time together in Kerala for National Games camp in February earlier this year. “I assume it works well if a couple shares the same background, it helps to understand your spouse’s challenges and one is better equipped to handle life on and off the field together.”

Same goal

Looks like hockey players are especially keen on partners from the sports background! Goaded by flying Sikh Milkha Singh and former captain of the Indian women's volleyball team Nirmal Kaur’s strong and running partnership of about six decades, the latest couple to join the bandwagon are Olympians Manjit Kaur and Gurwinder Chandi. The sprinter Manjit and Gurwinder’s families have been friends, and it’s the elders who have arranged this match. Back to Punjab post a honeymoon in Indonesia, Manjit is happy having married in the prestigious league. “There have been examples of successful marriage partnerships led by Mikha Sir and Nirmal Mam, and then Avneet and Rajpal,” shares Manjit, who is all geared to support her spouse in his endeavours on the field apart from handling her duties as DSP headquarters, Hoshiarpur.

mona@tribunemail.com

Box

Sporty spirit

Sania Mirza and Shoaib Malik

He into cricket, she into tennis, the duo have taken their Indo-Pak relationship to another level. Controversies or not, this couple has stood strong.

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf

Tennis legends, they have been inspiration for many sports couples, including ace shooter Avneet Sidhu.

Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal

Engaged about two years back, this ‘cricket star and squash queen’ couple is likely to get hitched this year.