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Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Minister, Anurag Thakur, awarded veteran and renowned Hockey Field player and coach, Mr Sarpal Singh, with the prestigious Dronacharya Award.
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports conferred Sarpal Singh with the Dronacharya Award in the lifetime category in 2021 due to his contribution to the sport of field Hockey and its development in India. The veteran athlete and coach has been instrumental in the growth of the game in India.
Mr. Singh represented Punjab province and India in various tournaments and championships. After retirement, he devoted himself to mentoring the young talent in India for hockey. He has coached the Northern Railways team which went on to win the Nehru Gold Cup, Bombay Gold Cup, and Gwalior Gold Cup.
The list of his disciples includes many Olympians the likes of Pirthipal Singh, Mohinder Lal, Harbinder Singh, Chand Singh, Mukhbain Singh, Varinder Singh, Ajit Singh, and Inder Singh. He was also nominated as one of the coaches for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics for Indian Hockey Team.
Hence, this shows why he deserved to be acknowledged this way. He also is the founding director of RoundGlass Sports.
Mr. Sarpal Singh's statement on being felicitated
Mr. Singh was delighted on receiving this prestigious award. He thanked the Ministry for this extreme honor by saying:
"I am filled with gratitude on receiving the esteemed Dronacharya Award for my contribution to field hockey. Once again, I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for this acknowledgment and feel truly humbled by it.”
Further, he added:
“Being a part of India’s glorious hockey history has been an incredible privilege, and I am honored to have played a role in it. Through RoundGlass Sports, I continue my dedication to this sport and strive to identify and nurture Indian talent to restore Punjab’s and India’s former glory in field hockey."
Mr. Singh’s unwavering commitment to the game of field hockey has made him a deserving recipient of the Dronacharya Award and an inspiration to many players of Hockey in India.
