Hoshiarpur:- Following in the footsteps of legendary footballers, a delegation from the Football Players Welfare Society (FPWS), Mahilpur, visited the village of Khairar Achharwal—known as the "Capital of Footballers"—to pay tribute to its hallowed soil that has produced countless national and international players. This visit was part of their initiative to reach out to every village and connect with players.
The delegation paid their respects to the village that has given the world stars like Arjuna Awardee Sardar Gurdev Singh Gill, international footballers Manjit Singh Gill, Kultar Singh Tari, Madan Lal Maddo, Mohinder Singh Ghogha, Onkar Singh, international referee Harbhajan Singh, Paramjit Singh Pappu, Parminder Singh, Surjit Singh Seet, Darshan Singh Darsha, Palu, Davinder Singh Ghogha, Fauji Harbhajan Singh, and journalist Jasvir Virdi.
The team held serious discussions about the past and present of the sport at the residence of Paramjit Singh Pappu (UK), a three-time Punjab University captain and former captain of the All India Combined University team, who is a close contemporary and friend of retired Inspector Gurdial Singh Bains. Like many other players, Pappu expressed deep concern over the decline of football in the village, region, state, and country. He is eager to see the game return to its former glory and is prepared to offer every possible support for its improvement. He urged the residents of the village and the region—who have been victims of factionalism and political divide—to set aside differences, follow the path of their elders, and strengthen communal harmony.
Members of the Football Players Welfare Society, Mahilpur, provided detailed information about their program to extend all possible support to sports clubs and academies in the region. They appealed to veteran players to mobilize the new generation to preserve their invaluable legacy. It was noted that if one were to record the names and achievements of all the players from Khairar Achharwal—from Mali Sahib to Gurbakhsh Singh (UK) and all current stars—it would be impossible to ever fully document them.
Individuals like weightlifter Jagraj Singh Jagga, Pawan Kumar, and Inspector Amandeep Kumar have joined the FPWSM and are dedicated to training the new generation in football, kabaddi, and athletics to protect them from bad company and drug abuse. Saluting the players born in this village and the sacred soil itself, the society sought the blessings and cooperation of all the players of Khairar Achharwal to achieve their objectives. They called upon everyone to join hands and contribute physically, mentally, and financially to promote football.