By Naresh Kumar Sharma
CHANDIGARH:Ferozepur may be comparatively one of the less-developed districts of Punjab, however, when it comes to talent especially in sports, there is no dearth of it. It is a matter of pride that as many as four players in the concerned disciplines from district would be representing the country in London Olympics.
Gurbaz Singh, who hails from village Malsianke falling under Tehsil Jira has been selected in the Indian hockey team. He credits his father Jeet Singh and uncle Ajit Singh for reaching at this stage in his sporting career. Both of them had been former hockey players and had been instrumental in popularising the game of hockey in the region. More than 50 players practice daily at the Malsian village.
Manjit Singh from Pach Sirai village had been chosen in the Indian boatingteam. Manjit had won silver media on Commonwealth games and qualified for London Olympics after winning again silver at the Korean pre-Olympic qualifying tournament. Due to Manjit’s exploits in boating, some of the children from region whenever they get chance to visit Chandigarh, they practice there at lake.
Manjit said that there was lto of talent adding that for this, a club should be set-up to practice near Sutlej. He said that there is one of the areas near Sutlej where the water gets accumulated in a certain patch which would be of great benefit to the budding talent to practice their skills in boating.
Ronjan Sodhi who won gold in the Commonwealth games has been selected in the double-trap shooting event to represent the country in London Olympics. Sodhi has won several awards in international shooting events. Besides this, Manavjit Sandhu from Rattakhera village also had been selected for Shooting discipline in the concerned category.
Ferozepur district sports officer, Sunil Singh said that there is abundant talent in sports in the district. He said that more facilities are provided, district could produce sizeable number of players of international class representing country in the respective discipline.
