Jalandhar, October 27: A life-sized bronze statue of legendary hockey icon Olympian Surjit Singh was unveiled at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, marking a tribute on the eve of the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.
The ceremony was jointly conducted by Hockey Punjab President Nitin Kohli, Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia, Police Commissioner Satinder Singh, alongside Olympians Harpreet Singh Mander and Baljeet Singh Dhillon, international player Jagdeep Singh Gill, and Patiala Physical College Principal Dr. Harmanpreet Kaur.
Speaking at the occasion, dignitaries affirmed that the newly installed monument will serve as a continuous source of inspiration for emerging athletic talent across the region. Leaders maintained that promoting sports remains a vital strategy for guiding youth toward healthy lifestyles, pointing to statewide initiatives like Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan as key elements of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s agenda to revitalize the state’s athletic heritage.
Officials declared that following the original dedication of the facility to the late defender, state authorities invested significant resources into upgrading the venue. Extensive renovation work was executed to ensure the infrastructure aligns fully with international tournament standards.
Late Olympian Surjit Singh Randhawa earned global acclaim as a formidable defender, representing India at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, two World Cups, and the 1974 and 1978 Asian Games. His career was highlighted by his instrumental role in securing India’s 1975 World Cup title in Kuala Lumpur, an achievement that earned him the prestigious Arjuna Award.
