logo
Jarkhar, mecca of rural sports, keeps torch burning

Jarkhar, mecca of rural sports, keeps torch burning

Time of India13-06-2025
Ludhiana: As the 15th Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Championship concluded at Jarkhar on June 8, the passion for sports in the village was palpable, showing how far it has come as a 'mecca of rural sports'.
Jarkhar lies about 15km from the city, on Ludhiana-Malerkotla road.
Jarkhar Sports Festival and other tournaments held in the village have become the most anticipated events here. No wonder, they are often referred to as 'modern rural mini Olympics'.
Since its inception in 1986, this vibrant festival has grown from a modest local event into a cornerstone of rural sports and cultural celebration, fostering community spirit, sportsmanship, and the preservation of traditional games.
Held at the state-of-the-art Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Complex, the festival attracts participants and spectators, blending athletic prowess with Punjabi cultural vibrancy.
The festival's history traces back to a small playground and a budget of just Rs 1,200 initiated by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports and Charitable Trust. Over nearly four decades, it has evolved into a spectacle, drawing athletes from neighbouring villages, districts, and even international teams.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Free P2,000 GCash eGift
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
A pivotal moment in the festival's history came with the establishment of the Jarkhar Hockey Academy in April 2006, spearheaded by chief organiser Jagroop Singh Jarkhar.
The event's growth is reflected in its modern venue, over Rs 6 crore stadium equipped with floodlights, a blue astroturf surface, and facilities including a hostel, 34 rooms, facility to host multiple sports simultaneously. These include hockey, kabaddi, wrestling, football, basketball, handball, volleyball, and athletics.
Jarkhar said, "At present, about 120 aspiring hockey players are being coached and 30 to 40 players are staying in the hostel. The focus remains on hockey, but a boxing academy was also started in 2021."
The festival's impact extends beyond athletics, serving as a cultural hub that celebrates Punjab's rich heritage.
The academy has become a beacon of opportunity for underprivileged youth. Jarkhar said several academy players have participated in various-level competitions, securing stable employment, highlighting the role of the festival and the academy in transforming lives through sports.
"Over 400 players from the academy have already played at the national level and have secured jobs in various departments including Punjab Police, the Railways, etc under the sports quota.
More than 50 players are playing in different leagues abroad and nearly 100 players are making a living from the sport," he added.
Jarkhar said, "Of the Rs 6-7 crore invested in the complex, only Rs 20-30 lakh has come from the govt. We could manage the rest because of the strong community support."
He added, "We have dedicated our lives to it, Nowhere in Punjab will you find such infrastructure. This is the first stadium in the state to have floodlights, that too in rural areas, and they are lit every evening when players play and practice. It has a hostel, 34 rooms, bus service, boarding lodging, and food facilities."
The academy is also recognised by Hockey India
.
Follow more information on
Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here
. Get
real-time live updates
on rescue operations and check
full list of passengers onboard AI 171
.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem face off in Poland is unlikely to happen due to...
Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem face off in Poland is unlikely to happen due to...

India.com

time25 minutes ago

  • India.com

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem face off in Poland is unlikely to happen due to...

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem face off in Poland is unlikely to happen due to... New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem's match in the Diamond League Poland next month is now in a state of uncertainty. Pakistan's javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem recently underwent surgery on his calf muscle in England, which has raised questions about his return. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal by defeating Neeraj Chopra with a brilliant throw of 92.97 meters. At the same time, Neeraj had to settle for silver with a best throw of 89.45 meters. This match was a memorable moment for sports lovers. Two Diamond League competitions were scheduled Both the players were going to face each other in the Diamond League in Silesia, Poland on August 16, after which their match was also scheduled in Switzerland next month. Focus on World Championship after surgery Arshad's coach Salman Butt, said that Nadeem's focus is now on the World Athletics Championship to be held in Tokyo in September. Due to calf problems, he underwent surgery and is now undergoing rehabilitation in London. Neeraj vs Nadeem's next clash in Tokyo? Coach Butt believes that the next clash between Neeraj and Arshad can now be seen directly in the World Championships in Tokyo. Nadeem has recently maintained his dominance by winning gold medals at the Paris Olympics, 2022 Commonwealth Games and Asian Athletics Championships.

IND vs ENG 4th Test: 'Not satisfied with my bowling' – Debutant Anshul Kamboj reflects on maiden wicket and learning from Jasprit Bumrah
IND vs ENG 4th Test: 'Not satisfied with my bowling' – Debutant Anshul Kamboj reflects on maiden wicket and learning from Jasprit Bumrah

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

IND vs ENG 4th Test: 'Not satisfied with my bowling' – Debutant Anshul Kamboj reflects on maiden wicket and learning from Jasprit Bumrah

Anshul Kamboj celebrates after taking the wicket of Ben Duckett in Manchester. (Pic credit: BCCI) NEW DELHI: India's newest Test debutant, Anshul Kamboj, announced himself on the big stage with a crucial breakthrough on Day 2 of the fourth Test at Old Trafford, Manchester, removing England opener Ben Duckett for 94 and giving his team a much-needed lifeline after a dominant opening stand. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The 24-year-old Haryana pacer, drafted into the squad after injuries to multiple frontline quicks, produced a sharp, rising delivery from a back-of-a-length that surprised Duckett, who could only edge it to substitute wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel. It was Kamboj's maiden Test wicket, and his emotional celebration — arms outstretched and a roar of relief — reflected what the moment meant to him. How and why Rishabh Pant's England tour could come to an abrupt end due to toe fracture Speaking to broadcasters after the day's play, Kamboj was honest and grounded in his reflections. 'I felt good. I tried to start by bowling in good areas… I am not satisfied with my bowling,' he chuckled modestly. 'I tried to come and bowl. I would have done better.' Poll What was your impression of Anshul Kamboj's debut performance? Outstanding Solid but could improve The nerves of debuting in a high-stakes series were evident. 'I just tried to act a little more in the first two spells. But in the third spell, I backed my strengths more. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo Tomorrow, we'll try to bowl tight, not give many boundaries. Because they're looking for boundaries, not singles,' he explained with tactical clarity. Kamboj also shared the invaluable experience of bowling alongside India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah . 'There is so much to learn. When you are bowling with Jasprit Bumrah, you get to learn a lot. We keep having discussions about what we need to do, so I have to adapt accordingly,' he said. Kamboj's journey from India A ranks to the Test arena has been rapid but deserved, and with this first wicket under his belt, he has taken the first big stride in what could be a long journey ahead. India ended the day with hopes rekindled, thanks in no small part to a debutant who rose to the occasion. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

'India "handed" Rishabh Pant's runs back to England': Ex-England captain questions Shubman Gill's captaincy
'India "handed" Rishabh Pant's runs back to England': Ex-England captain questions Shubman Gill's captaincy

Time of India

timean hour ago

  • Time of India

'India "handed" Rishabh Pant's runs back to England': Ex-England captain questions Shubman Gill's captaincy

Rishabh Pant (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: England asserted their dominance on Day 2 of the fourth Test against India at Old Trafford, Manchester, ending Thursday's play at 225/2. A commanding 166-run opening stand between Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley laid the foundation, helping England close in on India's first innings total of 358. The deficit now stands at just 133 runs, despite Rishabh Pant 's earlier half-century. Duckett and Crawley resumed the final session at 77 without loss and continued to pile on the runs. Duckett reached his fifty with a boundary off Shardul Thakur, which also took England past the 100-run mark. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Crawley wasn't far behind, bringing up his own half-century by driving Thakur to the boundary in the 21st over. England crossed 150 in the 29th over, courtesy of another Duckett boundary—this time off Mohammed Siraj. Former England skipper Nasser Hussain didn't hold back in his criticism of India's bowling and captaincy. "Slightly changing conditions, but they bowled very poorly. A change in overhead conditions doesn't make you bowl both sides of the wicket. Too many balls on the pads. Captain's decisions... didn't quite agree with, to be honest. Kamboj wasn't in the squad a week ago, to bring him into the team and give him a new ball ahead of Siraj. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo .. seems odd," Hussain said on Sky Sports. He continued: "I would've gone for Siraj for a short burst, then switched him to the other end to follow Bumrah. We've all been talking about the green channel on the strip across... this is the end where Stokes bowled and got his fifer, and got uneven bounce and sideways movement. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong." How and why Rishabh Pant's England tour could come to an abrupt end due to toe fracture The former captain added: "Rishabh Pant went out there on one leg, and got valuable runs today. They've just handed those runs back to England." The breakthrough finally came in the 32nd over when Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Crawley for 84 off 113 balls, breaking the opening stand at 166. England lost their second wicket at 197, with debutant Anshul Kamboj claiming his first Test scalp by removing Duckett for 94 from 100 deliveries. England crossed 200 in the 39th over, with Ollie Pope finding the boundary off Kamboj. At stumps, Pope and Joe Root had added an unbeaten 28-run partnership. For India, Kamboj returned figures of 1/48 from 10 overs, while Jadeja ended the day with 1/37 in 8 overs. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store