Hoshiarpur: Senior journalist Daljit Ajnoha held a special conversation with retired SP Gurdev Singh Gill—an Arjuna Awardee and a prominent footballer of his era—who hails from the village of Khairad in Mahilpur (Hoshiarpur).
During the interaction, Gurdev Singh Gill shared that the football ground in his ancestral village, Khairad, has been named after him. Describing this as a moment of immense pride and emotion, he remarked that this honor bestowed by his own village is no less significant than any major award.
He stated that he has always encouraged students and young athletes to move forward with hard work, discipline, and dedication. He believes that consistent, rigorous effort is the true key to success.
Expressing concern over the rising drug problem in Punjab, Gurdev Singh Gill called it deeply unfortunate that the state's youth are falling prey to drug addiction. He emphasized that sports are the most effective means of keeping young people away from evils like drug abuse. If youth are provided with better facilities and opportunities for sports, they can channel their talent in the right direction.
He also noted that a large number of young people are going abroad in search of employment. If adequate job and sports opportunities were made available within Punjab, the youth could stay in their home state, contribute to its development, and help make Punjab more prosperous.
Gurdev Singh Gill appealed to the government to provide talented athletes with ample facilities, training, and opportunities so that they can bring glory to the country, Punjab, and their local region at both national and international levels. He added that strengthening the sports culture could effectively curb social evils like drug abuse.