India’s hockey star Jugraj Singh has risen from a very small stage in life. At one stage Attari sold national flags to visitors at the borders to support the family financially.
–Galla S Kiran Kumar, Bureau ChiefJugraj’s lightning strike in the last minute was instrumental in the hosts’ 1-0 victory in the Asia Cup finals in China. The father of this hockey star recently revealed to an English magazine how hard he worked to become a sportsman.
Jugraj’s father Sukhjeet Singh was a porter. The family cannot survive completely with his earnings. Jugraj also used to do many kinds of work for the family. “I know nothing but hard work. But, my son made the whole family proud. He used to sell Indian national flags during beating retreat celebrations at Attari border. He would help the family with that money. “I am proud to see the position he has reached now,” he said.
Coach Navjot Singh also explained Jugraj’s discipline. He revealed that no matter how many financial problems he had, he never gave up on hockey. He started playing this game from senior secondary school. “Jugraj has a good physique compared to other children. It may have come from carrying weights with father. No matter how many hours he worked at night, he used to come to the field early in the morning before everyone else.
In 2009, Jugraj joined the Baba Uttam Singh National Hockey Academy, Khadur Sahib. After that he participated in Nehru Cup competitions for four years. He secured a place in the FIH Pro League for the first time in the 2021-22 season. After that he got a place in the Indian team. Recently, he performed brilliantly in the Asia Cup and gave victory to India.
