Till May last year, 19-year-old Gurkirat Singh was representing Chandigarh in hockey national championships with a hope to make it to the Indian squad. However, destiny has something else to offer as within a span of 15 months the ace striker becomes an important part of the United States of America (USA) hockey.
And, will soon be seen donning the USA colours.He has been included in the USA’s 2028 Los Angeles Olympics program. The youngster, who is already playing in the USA and also with some Canadian clubs, is making his magic spread across the team.
Dream Debut
He is also near to making his dream debut for the USA team in the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup, scheduled to be held from December 5 to 6, at Malaysia. Gurkirat, who was not part of the Chandigarh Hockey Academy (CHA) but was still allowed to play with its trainees, represented Chandigarh in various national events including Khelo India Games. He was part of many gold medals winning teams. He remained a trainee of CHA coach Gurminder Singh before moving to the USA. “He remained part of the Chandigarh teams starting from 2016 till 2022. The last event he played was junior national. He truly deserves to be in the best teams. And, it will be a proud moment for every player and resident of the city to see him playing for the USA squad in international events,” said Gurminder Singh. Last year, he decided to move with his father, who is residing at Sacramento (California), but didn’t let his passion for hockey go to waste.A student of computer science, he makes sure to strike a perfect balance between studies, job and hockey to play at the highest level. He does a part time job as a security ambassador with a leading e-commerce company, but ensures to travel twice a week to play hockey leagues.
The difference
While talking from the USA, Gurkirat maintained that the level of hockey is completely different and he is into the new phase of learning. “The main change is the level of hockey. It’s very high as compared to Chandigarh, and playing among the best players of the world surely boosts my confidence and my game,” said Gurkirat. About his venture abroad, he added to having played in the International Vancouver League, Phoenix Cup, California Cup, besides playing tournaments in Surrey, Indionis Cup in Mexico and a lot of tournaments in Sacramento also.” “I represented Yuba Brothers Field Hockey Club in the USA, and United Club in Canada. In Mexico, it’s the IPN Club. I opted to play for different clubs in order to gain experience for the upcoming World Cup and other important tournaments.”Road to OlympicsThe youngster also claimed to be into the probable squad for the USA team for the various events. “I am probable for the upcoming Junior World Cup squad, and also in the development team for the 2028 Olympics. I am also hoping to get through the 2024 Paris Olympics,” said Gurkirat. He is also excited about his undertaking venture in the USA. “I was working hard for this opportunity and I will not let anyone down… I’ll keep my bars up. I am planning to play leagues and bigger tournaments in Europe. I am putting special focus on maintaining my fitness, added he. Gurkirat revealed that moving to the USA was not planned. “I always wanted to play for India. I had it in my mind and had different plans. However, my father lives in Sacramento and my family decided to move here (USA). It’s been over a year, and I am still trying to manage things at my best. Getting attached with hockey is the best thing that happened and I am not letting go of this opportunity.” His father, a former head priest in a local Sikh temple, permanently shifted to the USA in 2016.
