As the title suggests, this article that you are about to read is about one of our very own – Harjot Singh Gill – who is currently playing hockey for the National Juniors Under 21 Hockey League. This achievement is truly impressive.
Hockey is a sport that requires inexplicable levels of skill and precision and one can only obtain these attributes of sport through sheer hard work and effort which Harjot has put in to obtain this accomplishment. We have much hope for Harjot and truly believe that he will be known to be a triumphant hockey player.
Harjot first started hockey thanks to the inspiration from his father who was an ex-national hockey player. He started training seriously at age 13. During those last few weeks before a major tournament, training can be held every day so it was physically exhausting for him. When asked about how he dealt with this type of pressure he said, ‘All I do is stay relaxed and focus on becoming better at my game.’ Additionally, he maintains a balanced diet.
Undeniably, having to study while competing in a tournament is an extremely arduous task as you must remember not to neglect your social life as well. Having to balance these aspects is the foundation to being a good athlete, and Harjot ensures his body, mind, and soul are proportionally healthy by creating a timetable to adhere to; some days may require vigorous physical training for an approaching tournament or studying for his IGCSE assessments, while other days it may be the perfect time to relax and unwind. Finding social enjoyment may prove difficult when you have a jam-packed schedule which is why Harjot cherishes his hockey team members who provide a sense of camaraderie for him, also allowing him to be exposed to a multitude of personalities, making that the perfect opportunity to hone his social skills.
When asked about his future endeavours, Harjot responded, “Despite still pursuing my interest in hockey, I’m currently prioritizing my upcoming IGCSE Examination while still keeping in mind what the future could hold for me, both regarding education and hockey.”
As a former national player himself, Harjot’s father, Mr. Satvinder Singh Gill, is extremely proud to see Harjot playing at this level of competition and has high hopes that Harjot will eventually play for the country in the future. Mr Satvinder always advises Harjot to start off with a short prayer before his game, telling him to play his best and to never give up. He also says that it’s incredibly important to never compare yourself with others, and instead improve yourself at every training session you have.
To ensure Harjot is fit and healthy enough to continuously play games week in, week out, his father manages his diet while making sure he gets an adequate amount of sleep and training individually aside from his training on the field. Of course, like every athlete, Harjot faces his losses but he’s always encouraged to remember that losing is part of the game and that he must learn from his mistakes in order to improve himself and get better results the next time. Mr. Satvinder has no worries that Harjot’s sports and studies will clash as sports and studies always go well hand-in-hand; a healthy body produces a healthy mind!
An increasing number of athletes, like Harjot, are becoming more ubiquitous globally. Upon hearing this, Harjot commented, “Hockey is a sport that I hold near and dear to my heart.” An important goal in Harjot’s life is to be able to inspire a new generation of hockey players just like his father had, and here at Sri Dasmesh, we wholeheartedly believe that he will create a presence to be reckoned with.
He is currently attending intensive training while home-schooling for the next few months. We are proud of him and wish him the very best.
By Bhagat Jot Singh and Karanjot Singh
