Tribune Information Service
Jalandhar, August 4
The Indian ladies’s hockey workforce gave a tricky battle to Argentina earlier than shedding 1-2 within the semifinals on the Tokyo Olympics, however Gurjit Kaur’s two targets in two matches have given her household, mates and coaches purpose to hope for a bronze medal.
After the superb victory run on the 2018 Asian Video games, the place her 11 targets had been key to India successful a silver medal, drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur was given a hero’s welcome at her alma mater right here, Lyallpur Khalsa School for Girls. The faculty workers and coaches went to obtain her and, closely garlanded, she was dropped at the school in an open jeep — like a star.
She scored two essential targets in opposition to two of the world’s greatest groups in Tokyo, and her coaches have been listening to from her recurrently as she sought suggestions and recommendation.
Christened ‘Aim Machine’ early on, a tag cemented after her eight targets on the 2017 Asia Cup, Gurjit honed her abilities throughout her faculty days right here. Throughout her time on the Lyallpur Khalsa School as a BA pupil, from 2013 to 2015, she first performed for India, in 2014. However her coaches say they might see the makings of a star in her earlier than that.
Following her aim within the match in opposition to Argentina on Wednesday, faculty Principal Navjot Kaur’s cellphone hasn’t stopped ringing.
Three coaches — Olympian Varinder Singh (75), Parminder Kaur and Kulvinder Singh Saini — labored together with her when she was a part of the school workforce. She known as and talked with all three when she was chosen within the Olympics workforce earlier this 12 months.
“Jadon Asian Video games ton muri, ohne sabh ton pehlan aake faculty floor nu matha tekeya (She paid obeisance on the faculty floor after coming back from the Asian Video games). She was known as Aim Machine for her scoring talents,” stated Saini. “We knew she was particular. Throughout faculty days, she practised for hours within the subject throughout peak afternoon. We might ask her to not overdo it and he or she would say: ‘I am having correct weight-reduction plan, I’ll deal with it’.”
The faculty — which affords free lodging and sporting facility for sports activities college students — boasts of alumni similar to Rajbir Kaur, Ajinder Kaur and several other others who performed for India. Gurjit too was a prodigy who was supplied all services on the faculty.
“We’re very pleased with her. She was fluid on the bottom. After her Asian Video games feat, our greatest dholi ladies performed dhol and danced at her achievement,” stated Varinder Singh, who performed within the 1972 and 1976 Olympics. “It was a magical time. She has by no means forgotten the school and has stayed in contact all by means of her sporting journey.”
“She introduced us glory. Our faculty gained the state championships for 3 consecutive years when she was a pupil right here,” stated Parminder Kaur. “She had a serious contribution in that. She was so shy and soft-spoken, she used to cover behind others throughout interactions. However I see her interviews immediately and may’t cease beaming with happiness.”
“She’s probably the most sweet-natured baby. Throughout her faculty days, when a instructor was absent, Gurjit would go lacking. She could be finally discovered within the floor, practising!” stated Navjot Kaur.
