Amritsar, Mar 14 : There is no dearth of sports talent in the country especially in Punjab, but the need of hour is to hunt for talent and impart adequate training by providing the best infrastructure.
These views were expressed by the veteran Hockey Olympian and Padmashree, Balbir Singh (Senior).
Three-time gold medal winner, Barbir was here to inaugurate the first South Asia Universities Hockey Championship being hosted by the Guru Nanak Dev University under the aegis of the Association of Indian Universities at its Guru Hargobind Astroturf Hockey Stadium.
Expressing his concern over the India's failure to qualify in the Olympics, Balbir said that we have to develop the sports, but the need of the hour is to hunt for proper talent.
"The Government should provide adequate funds, infrastructure, Astroturf fields, scientific training to inculcate skill among the selected players after selecting the best talent at the school, college and University levels," he added.
"Due attention should also be paid to Hockey in addition to Cricket and other games to achieve the desired goals," he said, adding that Hockey is our national game and the students studying at the University level should be encouraged to participate in sports activities. ice-Chancellor, Professor Dr. Jai Rup Singh presided over the function while Dr. Kanwaljit Singh, Director of Sports presented the report of achievements of the University in various disciplines.
Dr. Jai Rup Singh said that the Guru Nanak Dev University is committed to the development and promotion of sports.
"If the State and Central Government provide adequate funds and create state-of-the-art infrastructure here, the University would be able to produce world class players in various disciplines," Dr. Jai Rup Singh added.
While welcoming Balbir Singh and the participating teams, Dr. Kanwaljit Singh, said that the University has produced ten Arujna and two Padmashree Awardees in Hockey.
"The Guru Nanak Dev University has won the All India Women's Inter-University Hockey for 24 years," he added. By Ravinder Singh Robin
ANI
Get breaking news alerts.
Allow Notifications
You have already subscribed
Story first published: Thursday, August 24, 2017, 15:47 [IST]