Four decades after his death, how Jalandhar keeps Surjit Singh Randhawa’s spirit alive

Jalandhar: Every city has its legends. In hockey loving Jalandhar, Surjit Singh Randhawa is more than a legend. It remains a presence.His name greets visitors at the stadium named after him, echoes along the roads leading to the venue and lives on in the academy, which continues to produce international players, six of whom are currently part of the Indian squad, including captain Harmanpreet Singh.More than four decades after his death in a road accident in 1984, Surjit—a World Cup winner, Olympian and Arjuna awardee—remains woven into the sporting fabric of the region.The ongoing Asian Champions Trophy here has brought the spotlight back on the man widely regarded as one of India’s greatest full-backs and penalty corner specialists. It was Surjit’s equalizer against Pakistan in the 1975 World Cup final that paved the way for Ashok Kumar’s winning goal.But to those who knew him, Surjit was not just a hockey star. He was a teammate, a mentor, a friend and perhaps most of all, a symbol of what Punjabi hockey once was and still aspires to be.Former Indian captain Ajit Pal Singh, who was India’s captain in 1975, remembers Surjit as one of the pillars of that golden generation. “He was a reliable defender, a penalty corner specialist and a fighter to the core. As captain, I always had complete faith in him as a teammate,” said Ajit Pal.

Surjit Singh (standing fourth from left) with the Indian team after winning the World Cup (file photo)

However, his journey began in much more humble surroundings.Brigadier Harcharan Singh, another Olympian and three-time World Cup medallist, first saw Surjit as a teenager at a village tournament in 1969. Recognizing his talent, he helped the youngster gain admission to a sports academy in Jalandhar.Within a few years, the boy who almost lost his place in college established himself as one of the best defenders in the world. What separated Surjit from the rest, according to those who played with him, was his relentless work ethic.“Surjit imposed a very disciplined routine on himself. After completing the regular practice with the team, he put in another four or five hours of individual training,” recalled Harcharan.This dedication made him a player feared by opponents and feared by goalkeepers.Former India wicketkeeper Alloysius Edwards never had the chance to go up against Surjit but grew up hearing stories of the Punjab legend’s ferocious hitting power.“I once heard from a goalkeeper playing for JCT that he broke his finger trying to stop one of Surjit’s penalty corner kicks at a time when modern protective gear became standard,” said Edwards, who represented India at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and currently coaches the Punjab & Sind Bank hockey team in Jalandhar.His reputation as a penalty corner expert became so great that many in Punjab drew a direct line from Prithipal Singh to Surjit Singh and then to current India captain Harmanpreet, another defender equally lethal from penalty corners.

The action takes place during the Asian Champions Trophy at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium

Yet those who knew him insist his greatness went beyond hockey.Perhaps Surjit’s greatest contribution came after his playing days were over. What could have faded into history has instead developed into an institution. For former Indian captain and Punjab sports administrator Pargat Singh, preserving these memories is precisely why the institutions bearing Surjit’s name are still relevant today.“The younger generation may not know much about him, so we are trying to keep his memories alive. After all, he is a part of our history. If we can pass that history on to the next generation, it can inspire and motivate the young players,” said Pargat, who served as sports director for Punjab for around seven years.This effort is evident across Jalandhar.While the stadium that bears Surjit’s name hosts an international tournament, the Surjit Memorial Hockey Tournament remains one of the most respected domestic competitions in India and the Surjit Hockey Academy continues to mold future internationals.Accommodating about 100 trainees, the academy has become one of the leading hockey schools in Punjab.Players still tell stories of his World Cup heroics, fierce penalty corners and remarkable understanding of the game. One of the trainees, Gursimranpreet Singh, recalled an incident where Surjit challenged the officials about the placement of the goalposts during an international match and was eventually proved right.Together with the Surjit Hockey Society, which continues to host an annual memorial tournament, the academy has ensured that Surjit’s impact extends far beyond his playing days.

A statue of Surjit Singh outside the stadium in Jalandhar

The results can be seen in Punjab’s continued production of talent. Players like Harmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Mandeep Singh and Jarmanpreet Singh are the latest products of the hockey belt stretching across Jalandhar, Batala and Amritsar.For many ex-internationals, this pipeline is Surjit’s greatest legacy.His wife Chanchal Surjit Singh, former captain of the Indian women’s hockey team, sums it up best.“There is nothing I can add after seeing all the love people still have for him. He was a legend and one of the kindest souls. To see an international tournament being held in a stadium named after him is very special,” said the 74-year-old Chanchal.Ram Pratap, one of Surjit’s closest friends who was traveling with him when the fatal car accident occurred near Kartarpur, remembers him as much for his character as for his achievements.“Surjit was a legend and perhaps the best full-back in the world. But more importantly, he was a wonderful person. That’s why people still remember him with such fondness,” he said.For many people in Punjab hockey, the memories of Surjit the player have endured because they are inseparable from the memories of Surjit the person.Respect goes beyond memories. A stadium in Jalandhar bears his name, while his native village Dakhla in Gurdaspur district has been renamed after Surjit Singh Wala, a rare honor that underscores his influence on Punjab and Indian hockey.The Government Sports College, which was later renamed the Government Arts and Sports College in 1977, also continues to celebrate its sporting heroes and preserve its legacy.“Plans to name the boys’ hostel after Surjit Singh, while a plaque of honor and an alumni wall will ensure future generations remember the contributions of our Olympians and international players,” said director Ranbir Singh, a former national hockey player who played for the Namdhari XI alongside Sardar Singh.Most athletes are remembered for what they accomplished. Surjit is remembered for what he continues to inspire.