Punjab’s sports icons won global glory, but many now face fresh battles for recognition, dignity, and support beyond their playing days. Punjab, regularly hailed as the support of Indian wearing greatness, has cultivated competitors whose names resound distant past their domestic state. This piece returns to a few of these resigned luminaries—men and women—who wore national colors, won trees, and laid the foundation for future generations.
Kartar Singh – Wrestling Maestro Turned Police Officer
Born on October 7, 1953, in Sur Singh, Pool Taran, Kartar Singh carved his title in Indian wrestling history by clinching gold awards at both the 1978 Bangkok and 1986 Seoul Asian Diversions.
He too gotten a silver in 1982 Delhi Asian Recreations and bronze at the 1978 Commonwealth Diversions in Edmonton . Granted the Arjuna in 1982 and Padma Shri in 1987, Kartar resigned from the Punjab Police as Examiner Common and served as Chief of Sports. Indeed after resigning from dynamic competition, he proceeded winning veterans’ world titles—across Canada, Switzerland, France, and more all through the '90s.
Ajit Buddy Singh – Hockey’s Midfield General
Ajit Buddy Singh, born April 1, 1947, hails from Sansarpur—a amazing town for Indian hockey. He captained India to the 1975 World Glass (Kuala Lumpur) and was a three-time Olympian (1968–1976), winning two bronze awards.
The Arjuna came in 1970 and Padma Shri in 1992 . Post-retirement, he served briefly as India’s Chef-de-Mission for the 2012 London Olympics and proceeds to shape hockey through organizing youth tournaments.
Sajjan Singh Cheema – Spearheading Ball Star
Born in Dabulian, Kapurthala, on January 15, 1957, Sajjan Singh Cheema spoken to India in the 1982 Asian Recreations and different Asian Ball Championships.
He earned the Arjuna Grant in 1999 and the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Grant in 1983 en.wikipedia.org. After resigning in 1994, he joined the Punjab Police as SP and afterward DCP. In 2016, he entered legislative issues with AAP, pushing for sports and education.
Gurdev Singh Gill – Shield and Dynamo
Gurdev Singh Gill, born April 20, 1950, made a difference lead India in football amid the 1970s. A guard of fame, he earned the Arjuna Grant in 1978. He played for clubs like Pioneers Club Jalandhar, Punjab Police FC, and East Bengal. After resigning as a Commandant in the Punjab Police in 2008, he settled in Jalandhar, some of the time dwelling in Canada.
Surjit Singh Randhawa – Hockey’s Fallen Star
Surjit Singh (1951–1984), from Batala, was a stalwart fullback and captain. He played in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, the 1974 and 1978 Asian Diversions, and strikingly, the 1975 Hockey World Container.
Where he scored India’s to begin with objective, making a difference secure the gold. A two-time Asian Diversions champ and World Glass star, he was honored after death with an Arjuna in 1998. His bequest perseveres through the Surjit Hockey Stadium and yearly commemoration tournaments.
Harcharan Singh – Armed force Officer and Olympian
Harcharan Singh VSM was born on January 15, 1950, in Gurdaspur, won bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics as portion of India’s hockey group. After a decade-long career in the Armed force (1969–1999), he transitioned into motivational talking. Outstandingly, he is the uncle of cricketer Balwinder Sandhu.
Paramjit Kumar & Rajbir Kaur – The Voices Past the Field
Paramjit Kumar, once a national-level hockey applicant, fell on difficult times due to damage and briefly worked as a laborer in Faridkot’s grain showcase. In December 2024, at that point CM Bhagwant Mann reestablished him as a coach in Bathinda’s Sports Department.
Rajbir Kaur—a four-time women’s Asian Recreations hockey player (1982–1994)—returned her Arjuna in solidarity with dissenting agriculturists. Numerous such experienced competitors are freely recovering their grants, requesting regard and reasonable treatment.
Jarnail Singh Garcha
At 66, experienced track pro Jarnail Singh Garcha, a numerous masters-games gold medalist, as of late gotten acknowledgment from the Punjab government for his accomplishments in experts games, counting wins in tall bounce, obstacles, and sprints. His victory highlights the long lasting enthusiasm of Punjab’s sports heroes.
Systemic Bolster and Waiting Struggles
Despite the honors and accomplishments, numerous resigned competitors still battle. Benefits policies—awarding Rs.?5,000 for national medalists and Rs.?15,000 for Olympians—have frequently been critiqued as insufficient. Brigadier Harcharan and other veterans contended Punjab’s sports approach undermines resigned players, calling for work quantities and superior honor.
However, signs of alter are developing. The Mann organization has given PCS (Punjab Respectful Benefit) occupations to four Olympic hockey medallists and dispensed cash grants totaling ?9.35 crore to 19 Olympians.
These retirement stories uncover a complex representation of Punjab’s donning culture: unmatched fabulousness in execution, but blended fortunes a while later. Whereas numerous laid solid foundations—through police benefit, legislative issues, coaching, organization, and social causes—others hook with bureaucratic impassion or financial hardship.
Still, Punjab proceeds to honor its champions. From renaming towns and stadiums to restoring competitions like Khedan Wattan Punjab Diyan and introducing sports nurseries over the state, there’s a collective exertion to protect and reinvigorate the bequest of these heroes.
