Rural Mini-Olympics draws to a close

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, February 13

With the promise to assemble next year, the 31st Sports Festival at Jarkhar village, organised by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports and Charitable Trust concluded on Monday.

A large number of spectators braved indifferent weather on the last day of the sports extravaganza, popularly known as the Modern Rural Mini-Olympics. Leaders of all major political parties visited the stadium during the course of this three-day festival to encourage participants and organisers.

On the final day, Member of Parliament from Ludhiana, Ravneet Singh Bittu; leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira; Balwinder Singh Bains and Jagtar Singh Hissowal, both MLAs; Ravinder Arora, president of the Ludhiana unit of the BJP; Amolak Singh Ghakhal and Sunny Ghakhal, sports promoters, were others, who visited the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Complex.

Appreciating the outstanding achievements by the trainees of the Jarkhar Hockey Academy in the past one decade, Bittu announced a grant of Rs15 lakh for the academy, while Khaira and Bains urged upon the state government to declare the Jarkhar Stadium as a sports heritage.

The main attraction on the last day was a performance by popular Punjabi singer Ranjit Bawa. He entertained the gathering with his famous numbers, including ‘Jatt Di Akal’, ‘Gidhra Da Bug Firda’, ‘Yaari Chandigarh Valiye’ among others.

Narinder Pal Singh Sidhu, advocate Harkamal Singh and Jagroop Singh Jarkhar, chairman, president and chief organiser, respectively, thanked the guests for sparing time for being present there to encourage participants and organisers.

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Those honoured 

Six prominent persons were felicitated for outstanding contributions in their respective fields. They were awarded with citation and siropas and were taken around the main stadium in open jeeps during the prize distribution function. 

*Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal: He is the global brand ambassador of World Cancer Care Centre and has conducted medical camps in over 8,000 villages across Punjab to create awareness about the deadly disease and how to cure it. He was given the Bhagat Puran Singh Award for his service to the society.

*Pritam Singh Grewal: Former Mayor, Hounslow (UK), was given the Amarjit Singh Grewal Award for promoting sports.

*Sahib Singh Thind: A Punjabi, settled in Canada, was given the Life Achievement Award for his contribution in preserving the Memorial of Gadri Babe and also played a stellar role in prevailing upon the Canadian government to tender an apology for Komagata Maru incident.

*Onkar Singh Pahwa: Managing Director, Avon Cycles, was awarded Jarkhar Khedan Da Maan. He has been donating over 100 bicycles every year to the needy students of Jarkhar village and its surrounding areas.

*Hobby Dhaliwal: Punjabi actor, who has made his presence felt in the film industry, was awarded with Jasdev Singh Jassowal award for his contribution in the field of cultural activities.

*Jaswant Singh Grewal: Sports promoter was honoured for his contribution in motivating youngsters to take an active part in games. 

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Results 

Hockey competition for Mohinder Partap Singh Grewal Hockey Trophy — Junior section: Farzino Academy of California beat Prithipal XI 4-2; Senior section: BSF, Jalandhar beat EME, Jalandhar 3-1; Women’s section: UCO Bank, Delhi, beat Shahbad Markanda (Haryana) 4-3 to emerge victorious. The winners and runners-up in all sections were given cash prizes worth Rs 2 lakh.

Volleyball competition for Sukhpal Singh Gill Trophy— 

Hariana romped home as winners, while Ferozshah and Gandua secured the second and third positions, respectively, and Chak Kalan finished at the fourth place.

Kabaddi: Ghakhal Academy, California, beat Shaheed Bhagat Singh Academy, Abbotsford, 24-22, to lift the Ghakhal Bros Cup; In one-village section: Mandian beat Dibra to win the Dharam Singh Jarkhar Kabaddi Cup. Tejpal from Mandian and Shally of Dibra were adjudged the best players.

Basketball (boys): Ludhiana Basketball Academy beat Gymkhana Academy; In girls’ section: Punjab Police beat Ludhiana district to come out as winners.

Results

Women: 1,500-m race: 1st Mehakpreet Kaur Randhawa (COA); 2nd Ravinder Kaur (COA); 3rd Rajveer Kaur (IOA, Gurdaspur

Javelin throw: 1st Sukhjinder Kaur Gill (COHS); 2nd Harmeen Kaur Grewal (COHS); 3rd Manpreet Kaur (COA)

High jump: 1st Mehakpreet Kaur Randhawa (COA); 2nd Sukhpreet Kaur (COHS); 3rd Manpreet Kaur (COA)

Men: 500-m race: 1st Jobanjit Singh (IOA, Bathinda); 2nd Lovepreet Singh (IOA, Gurdaspur); 3rd Jasandeep Singh Gill (COA) 

Hammer throw: 1st Harmandeep Singh (COBS&H); 2nd Anmol Singh (COA); 3rd Gurkirat Singh (IOA, Gurdaspur) 

110-m hurdles: 1st Sahejdeep Singh Sran (COA); 2nd Harmandeep Singh (COBS&H); 3rd Tarkjot (COHS) 

100-m hurdles: 1st Pardeep Singh (IOA, Bathinda); 2nd Manroop Singh (IOA, Gurdaspur); 3rd Gurdeep Singh (IOA, Gurdaspur)

Javeline throw: 1st Harmandeep Singh (COBS&H); 2nd Jaspreet Singh (COBS&H); 3rd Ramandeep Singh (IOA, Bathinda)

Triple jump: 1st Sahejdeep Singh Sran (COA); 2nd Harmandeep Singh (COBS&H); 3rd Ankush Kumar (COA)

High jump: 1st Harmandeep Singh (COBS&H); 2nd Gurpinder Singh (IOA, Gurdaspur); 3rd Sumel Singh (COA)