Prime Minister Modi Praises Rajinder Singh Senior in Mann Ki Baat for His Contribution to Hockey Talent Development

New Delhi, September 27 (Daily Kiran) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the 138th episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program aired on Sunday, commended former Indian hockey player Rajinder Singh Senior for his ongoing dedication to identifying and nurturing young talent in sports.

Modi announced a new Sports Talent Hunt initiative from the Red Fort, emphasizing the importance of reaching out to villages and towns to discover sporting talents. He acknowledged the commitment of individuals like Rajinder Singh, who share a passion for scouting and developing talent.

In his remarks, Modi noted, “In Punjab, Rajinder Singh Senior is doing this important work. He is a member of the 1980 Olympic gold medal-winning Indian hockey team and had an impressive performance in the 1982 Hockey World Cup. He also played a crucial role as a coach when India won the men’s Junior World Cup for the first time in 2001 and the Senior Asia Cup in 2003.”

The Prime Minister highlighted Rajinder Singh’s current efforts through the Roundglass Hockey Academy, where he is actively working to lay new hockey astro turf in villages. His clear objective is to identify talent in areas with limited coaching facilities. Thanks to his initiatives, several players are now securing spots on junior and senior teams. Modi emphasized that Rajinder’s dedication deserves immense recognition.

Rajinder Singh Senior, born on January 7, 1958, in Amritsar, Punjab, is known for his defensive skills and expertise in penalty corners. He was a key member of the Indian team that won the Olympic gold in 1980 and had a stellar performance in the 1981-82 World Cup, scoring 12 goals.

Since retiring from sports, Rajinder has been tirelessly working to develop young hockey players through his academy. His mention in the ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program is a testament to his years of hard work and commitment to the sport.