One of the biggest sporting extravaganza in the region, the 35th Indian Oil Surjit Hockey Tournament today started with a great pomp and show as MLA Pargat Singh, Deputy Commissioner Jalandhar Varinder Kumar Sharma and Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar inaugurated this mega event here at Surjit Hockey Stadium, Burlton park.At the very outset, the members of the organizing committee and dignitaries observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect for the victims of tragic Railway mishap that took place at Amritsar, a few days back.In his address, the MLA Mr. Pargat Singh congratulated the organizers for the event being held under the ‘Tandarust Punjab Mission’. The former Olympian also recalled that Olympian Surjit Singh was an ideal for every budding Hockey player, including him in 1980s. Mr. Pargat Singh lauded the role of organizing committee for holding this event every year thereby acting as a nursery for producing the legends in field of Hockey.The MLA said that along with the society the civil and Police administration of the district also deserves a kudos for organizing this event. Declaring the event open, Mr. Pargat Singh hoped that this tournament play a key role in making Punjab a healthy, progressive and prosperous state. He also thanked the sports lovers for converging at the stadium for witnessing this gala event.
Earlier, welcoming the chief guest to the ground, the Deputy Commissioner cum President of the Surjit Hockey Touranment Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma lauded Mr. Pargat Singh for remarkable achievements in arena of sports. He said that the MLA was a living legend who would continue to inspire our coming generations to excel in the field of sports. Mr. Sharma said that the Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh was already making strenuous efforts to promote sports in the state through the ‘Tandarust Punjab Mission’.The Deputy Commissioner said that stupendous efforts of the Surjit Hockey for holding the tournament, in the memory of former skipper of Indian Hockey team and Olympian late Mr. Surjit Singh Randhawa, were really laudable. He expressed hope that this tournament would offer an opportunity to the million of Hockey lovers to enjoy this gala event. Mr. Sharma also expressed hope that this prestigious tournament would enable the young players to exhibit their unbounded talent so that they could be further groomed for International events.On the occasion Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jatinder Jorwal, Sub Divisional Magistrate Mr. Paramveer Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Navneet Singh Mahal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Ludhiana Mr. Iqbal Singh Sandhu, Chief PRO Surjit Hockey Mr. Surinder Singh Bhapa, District Guidance Counselor Mr. Surjit Lal and others were also present.