PM Modi highlights Punjab coach Rajinder Singh’s role in nurturing rural hockey talent

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the contribution of former Indian hockey player and coach Rajinder Singh in identifying and nurturing sporting talent in villages, saying such efforts are crucial to sustaining India’s performance in international sports.

Addressing the nation in the 138th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday, PM Modi recalled his announcement from the Red Fort of a talent hunt campaign for sports and stressed the need to reach villages and towns to identify promising athletes.

“To ensure India continues to perform excellently, it is essential to reach out to villages and towns to discover sporting talent,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi noted that several individuals have dedicated themselves to discovering sporting talent and helping young athletes develop their potential. He particularly mentioned Punjab’s Singh, whose name also carries the title ‘Senior’.

Singh was part of the Indian hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Games and also represented India at the 1982 World Cup. He later took up coaching and played a key role in India’s victories in major junior and senior tournaments.

PM Modi recalled that India won the Men’s Junior World Cup for the first time in 2001, while the country also clinched the Senior Asia Cup title in 2003, with Singh serving as coach in both tournaments.

The Prime Minister said Singh is now pursuing his passion for developing hockey talent through the RoundGlass Hockey Academy.

“Now, he is pursuing his passion through the Round Glass Hockey Academy,” PM Modi said.

Highlighting the academy’s efforts at the grassroots level, PM Modi said new hockey astro-turfs are being laid in villages as part of the initiative. The focus, he added, is on identifying children in villages who do not have access to quality coaching facilities.

“Rajinder ji has a very clear focus: identifying children in villages that lack access to excellent coaching facilities,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi said initiatives such as these are helping several young players progress to India’s junior and senior-level teams, creating opportunities for talent that might otherwise remain undiscovered.

The Prime Minister said the contribution of individuals such as Singh demonstrates the importance of sustained grassroots efforts in strengthening India’s sporting ecosystem.

“Through such initiatives, many players are securing spots at India’s junior and senior levels,” PM Modi said, adding, “No matter how much Rajinder Singh ji’s dedication is lauded, it’s not enough.”

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