Coach, boxer, administrator: DSO Gurpreet Singh’s sporting journey
Sharing his vision for Jalandhar, District Sports Officer Gurpreet Singh says his priority is to strengthen coaching facilities across the district
HAVING excelled as a player, coach and now a sports administrator, District Sports Officer (DSO) Gurpreet Singh believes every phase of his journey has prepared him to serve sports in a different way. After taking charge as DSO, Jalandhar, in August last year, Singh is now completing a year in office, during which the district has witnessed several developments in the sports sector.
Jalandhar is gearing up to host an international-level event as Punjab prepares to organise the Asian Hockey Championship for the first time. Another major achievement has been the upgradation of the historic State School of Sports, Jalandhar, into a Punjab Institute of Sports (PIS) Centre of Excellence, marking a new chapter in the institution’s long-standing contribution to nurturing sporting talent.
Reflecting on his journey, the DSO said sports have always been a part of his life.
“My father was a football player and later served in the Punjab Police before retiring. I started playing hockey at the age of 10 but later switched to boxing. I played at the national level, after which my coaches encouraged me to join NIS Patiala, where I completed a diploma in boxing,” he said.
Singh began his professional coaching career in 2011 as the Chief Boxing Coach at Lovely Professional University. In 2016, he joined the Punjab Sports Department as a junior coach and, after years of coaching, was promoted to District Sports Officer in 2023.
“Nothing in my life was planned. I would say life took the decisions for me,” he remarked.
Despite his administrative responsibilities, Singh says coaching remains the role closest to his heart.
“Being a coach is the most challenging yet the most satisfying role. A coach carries the responsibility of shaping a player’s life, motivating them, helping them overcome defeats and constantly giving them new goals to achieve,” he said.
More than 10 players trained under his guidance have represented the state and the country at the national level. “I still miss being a coach,” he admitted.
Recalling one of the biggest challenges of his coaching career, he said convincing parents, especially those of girls, to allow their children to take up boxing was never easy. “Parents were often worried that their children would get injured. I stayed in regular touch with them and tried to build their confidence. Gradually, they began trusting the sport and encouraging their children to participate,” he said.
Even after becoming DSO, Singh continues to maintain close ties with players. “I enjoy spending time with players. They have my contact number, and I regularly interact with them whenever I get the opportunity,” he added.
Sharing his vision for Jalandhar, he said his priority is to strengthen coaching facilities across the district.
“We already have the infrastructure. Now, we need coaches in disciplines where there are vacancies, including handball, kabaddi, kho kho and football. My effort is to ensure these sports receive qualified coaches through the department,” he said.
At present, Singh is fully occupied with preparations for the upcoming Asian Hockey Championship, which Punjab is set to host. He expressed confidence that the tournament would be organised successfully and would leave a lasting impact on the state’s sporting landscape.
Encouraging the younger generation to embrace sports, he urged youngsters to come forward and actively participate in games, saying that sports not only help build successful careers but also instil discipline, confidence and a healthy lifestyle.
