A Proud Moment for Our Family: Sukhjeet’s Arjuna Award Celebrated by Father Ajit Singh
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New Delhi, Jan 2 (NationPress) “All the hard work that I have put in over the last two years has paid off,” remarked Sukhjeet Singh, a significant contributor to India’s bronze medal-winning men’s hockey squad at the Paris Olympics, upon receiving a nomination for the distinguished Arjuna Award. “Winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics was a dream come true, and now being nominated for the Arjuna Award is a great accomplishment for me,” he expressed.
Sukhjeet’s father, Ajit Singh, who is a sub-inspector in the Punjab Police, conveyed his joy regarding his son's extraordinary achievement. He has also requested the Chief Minister of Punjab to elevate his son to the position of DSP in the Punjab Police.
“I am very happy. A friend called me today and congratulated me, saying, ‘Congratulations to you!’ I was taken aback and didn’t know how to respond. Sukhjeet has been honored with the Arjuna Award. I quickly congratulated him in return. Twenty minutes later, I received a call from Sukhjeet himself. Before he could speak, I congratulated him. He inquired, ‘How did you know?’ I replied, ‘I got a call from someone’.
“This is a moment of immense joy for us and our family. I want to express my gratitude to the Sports Ministry for recognizing Sukhjeet’s efforts and nominating him for this esteemed award,” he stated.
Ajit Singh has urged the Chief Minister of Punjab to promote his son and another talented hockey player, Jarmanpreet Singh, to the DSP role in the Punjab Police, similar to the promotions received by other athletes. He believes this would allow them to serve the people effectively. “Many players have been promoted to roles like DSP or PCS. I firmly believe he deserves such recognition,” his father asserted. “He has brought pride to the nation and Punjab. I urge the honorable Chief Minister to promote Sukhjeet to DSP. It would be an appropriate acknowledgment of his contributions.”
Sukhjeet’s passion for hockey ignited when he was merely five years old. Coming from a modest background in Punjab, he would often accompany his father, a police officer, to the local hockey pitch. “He was so young, yet his enthusiasm for the sport was clear,” reminisced his father. “Back then, he had a stick longer than himself. He trimmed it to fit and practiced tirelessly.”
From those formative years, Sukhjeet’s journey was characterized by perseverance. His father, deeply invested in his training, increased his practice hours after recognizing the young boy’s commitment. “Sukhjeet dedicated himself immensely during his childhood. We concentrated on his training, nutrition, and diet to provide him with every chance to succeed,” his father shared.
Sukhjeet’s dedication bore fruit as he progressed through the ranks, representing Punjab and ultimately, India on the global stage. His defining moment arrived at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where India clinched a bronze medal in men’s hockey following a series of exhilarating matches.
The Arjuna Award signifies a pivotal achievement for Sukhjeet, acknowledging his contributions to the sport and his unwavering pursuit of excellence. His family, especially his father, is elated. “It is a source of great pride for our family,” his father expressed. “I want to thank the Sports Ministry for honoring players like Sukhjeet with such prestigious accolades.”
Looking forward, Sukhjeet is determined to advance on his path of growth and success. “There’s still a lot to accomplish,” he affirmed. “The Olympic medal and Arjuna nomination are merely the beginning. I aspire to inspire young players in India to embrace hockey and reach for their dreams.”
