Hoshiarpur: Recently, during a major football event in Mahilpur—a region regarded as a nursery and fertile ground for the sport—a meeting of veteran footballers and sports enthusiasts from the state took place. This initiative received strong support from footballers and fans residing abroad. The meeting honored the legendary Punjabi footballers who took the sport to the Olympic level; specifically, in recognition of the unparalleled achievements of the late Jarnail Singh, the 'Footballer Welfare Society Mahilpur' was established under the patronage of Arjuna Awardee footballer Gurdev Singh Gill and Sardar Inder Singh. Serious deliberations were held on inspiring the new generation of footballers and grooming them into players capable of competing at national and international levels.
Veteran players who have brought glory to the sport shared their personal experiences, offered suggestions to steer the game back to the legacy established by the late Jarnail Singh and other stalwarts, and expressed deep concern over the decline in football and other sports. They also endorsed the commitment and efforts of regional organizations aimed at elevating the standard of sports once again. The gathering also paid tribute to the significant contributions made to football and education by philanthropic figures like the great educationist and dedicated administrator, Principal Harbhajan Singh, whose absence was keenly felt.
The primary objective of this society is to protect the new generation of footballers from substance abuse and other social ills, while empowering them to achieve renown at national and international levels and become responsible citizens. During the meeting, locals settled abroad also voiced their concern regarding societal decline and pledged their full support—in spirit, effort, and resources—towards reform initiatives, conveying their commitment through suggestions shared over the phone. Coach Bandhana Singh Halluwal was appointed President of the Society; Yashpal Jassi Mahilpur was named Senior Vice President; Gurdial Singh Bains was appointed Vice President; and Narinder Singh Jiyan and Daljit Singh Bittu were entrusted with financial responsibilities to ensure the smooth functioning of the Society. Additionally, the authority to appoint expatriate members and other office-bearers was vested in these officials and the Society's honorary patrons, including Darshan Singh Mazara Dhingrian, Takdeer Singh Bharta, Sandeep Saini, SP Paramjit Singh Sarhala Kalan, and Madan Lal Khairar.
It was formally decided to hold the Society's monthly meetings in rotation across villages associated with football; the aim is to introduce the new generation of players to renowned veteran footballers, thereby encouraging them and allowing them to learn from the veterans' experiences. It was unanimously decided that these meetings would take place on the evening of the last Sunday of every month.
All those present at the meeting appealed to residents of the area—both at home and abroad—to offer their valuable suggestions and extend their cooperation to ensure the Society's success. As per the members' advice, emergency meetings may be convened if necessary, and deliberations and efforts will be undertaken to resolve relevant issues.
Prominent footballers and sports enthusiasts from various villages in the region participated in the event, including Jagraj Singh Khairar, Gurminder Singh Bihran, Satprakash Canadian, Ved Prakash Sarangwal, Harinder Singh Khabra, Gurtej Singh Sabi Marula, Jasvir Singh Kandowal, Talbinder Singh Heer Nangal Khiladiyan, Parminder Singh Bharta, Parveen Kumar Chanthu Brahmanan, Sarvjit Singh Chandeli, Balbir Singh Mahilpur, Sukhdev Singh Sangha Langeri, Tarsem Bhaji Mahilpur, Manjinder Singh Mahilpur, and Daljit Singh Baghaura.