So revered is the hallowed soil of Mithapur that individuals from throughout Punjab come to take it so as to combine it at their village playgrounds. Tribune correspondent Aparna Banerji and lensman Sarabjit Singh go to Mithapur hockey nursery, which has produced six Olympians thus far
Pargat Singh performed Olympics in 1988, 1992 and 1996. He was the flagbearer for the Indian contingent in 1996 Olympics.
Kulwant Singh in motion within the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Mithapur’s hockey gamers pose for a photograph (1956-57).
On July 29, alarms went off at 6 am in each home to witness India beat Argentina 3-1, thus cementing their place in quarterfinals. As Varun scored the primary aim within the match, the village let loose a collective gasp of pleasure.
Hockey group of Mithapur Nationwide Excessive College in 1979-80. Pargat Singh stands fourth from left (quick hair).
Swarup Singh, who performed for India within the 1952 Olympics.
Indian captain Manpreet Singh (second from proper) sits subsequent to Mandeep Singh (third from proper) and Varun Kumar (fourth from proper). The trio are pals who grew up and went to highschool collectively within the village. All three of them are representing India within the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. {Photograph} clicked throughout their childhood days.
Coach Balwinder Singh and member Hockey India stated, “Hockey is in our blood. Generations toiled for this second. From Swarup Singh to Manpreet Singh, quite a few unsung heores have fanned the sporting ardour. Coach Sarabjit Singh Sabi gave wsidom after taking part in for leagues overseas. Olympian Pargat Singh is all the time there to assist us. We prepare at the least 70 gamers and round 4 sportspersons will make it to the subsequent Olympics.”
Rick Charlesworth, who’s a five-time Australian Olympian and runs Roundglass Academy, gives free hockey teaching to gamers at Shaheed Darshan Singh Kaypee Stadium.
Shaheed Darshan Singh Kaypee Stadium at Mithapur village has grow to be a breeding floor for recent hockey expertise. Round 60 to 70 budding gamers observe on the floor each day.
Manjit Kaur, mom of Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh poses with trophies of her son. The mid-fielder has performed 259 worldwide matches for India and is the second hockey participant from Mithapur after Olympian Pargat Singh to be the flagbearer of the Indian contingent. 
Indian hockey captain Manpreet Singh
Brahmanad and Shakuntala, mother and father of Varun Kumar showcase medals received by the 27-year-old participant throughout varied worldwide tournaments. Varun scored India’s opening aim towards defending champions Argentina together with his drag flick on the Tokyo Olympics on July 29. 
Varun Kumar
Ravinder Singh and Ravinderjit Kaur, mother and father of Mandeep Singh pose with the trophies received by their son throughout varied nationwide and worldwide tournaments. The 26-year-old striker debuted on the Tokyo Olympics and is India’s main aim scorer after Rupinder Pal Singh. 
Mandeep Singh
Surinder Pal Singh (72), who’s the eldest residing hockey veteran, and performed six years for East Bengal Membership, stated, “Saria Singh Kairon began hockey fad within the village. Swarup Singh Olympian was the primary product. Earlier, there was no subject or stadium. Gurdwara Singh Sabha Mithapur’s entrance yard was once our hockey floor. With hockey sticks and ‘khesis’ on shoulders, villagers used to return out in hordes to play the sport in night.”
