Our Pride

Hardeep Singh Sangha

Hardeep Singh Sangha

Hardeep Singh Sangha, born in the Langari village, was a rising star footballer of the Indian team. Under the guidance of football coach Ali Hasan from Mahilpur Wing, he developed his skills and showcased his remarkable talent at a young age in various competitions, earning him the prestigious position of representing India in football tournaments. The number 13 holds significant importance in his life. When he was asked to leave this number due to a Bengali superstition, he replied, "This is the number of our Baba Nanak." From the day he acquired this jersey number, his game reached new heights. He started scoring impressive goals with high and long shots in football. Mohan Brawn used every opportunity to include him in his team. Not only did Hardeep become a prominent guest in tournaments, but players like Daljit and other Punjabi athletes also admired his participation in these competitions. Hardeep actively engaged in his sport during his prime years. When JCT Football Club sidelined Mohan Bagan in Ludhiana, he witnessed Hardeep's goal-scoring skills and decided to prepare him for his team. In this way, he refreshed the memory of his Punjab Police days when he was reprimanded for skipping practice. He has accumulated a treasure trove of sweet and bitter experiences from his sports life. He particularly mentions the playing skills of Yashpal Jassi, Sandeep Saini, and Tajinder Kumar. Hardeep laments that football has not received enough promotion from the media, with all the focus being on cricket.

The accomplishments of Hardeep Sangha in Indian football can still be heard in the history of Indian football. Experts of Indian football say that if Hardeep Sangha had played in any other team of India, he would have broken Baichung Bhutia's records as well. He possessed exceptional skills in controlling the ball with his head and feet, which enabled him to score goals. He had a unique playing style that contributed to the success of the Indian team. His heading and ball control abilities were remarkable. Throughout his career, he achieved numerous accolades and made a significant impact on Indian football alongside renowned footballers like Jarnail Singh, P.K. Banerjee, Parminder Singh, Chunni Goswami, and Krishanu Dev.

According to Bengali sports critics, if Hardeep had not left India and gone to Canada at the age of 25, he would have undoubtedly become a star footballer for India for many years. However, it is uncertain how far one's talent can reach. In the history of JCT FC, all three Hardeep Sanghas have established themselves as pillars of their time. His extraordinary skills on the field amazed spectators and enabled him to score goals without even shooting the ball. Under the guidance of coach Ali Hasan in the Mahilpur Sports Wing, he participated in the Subroto Mukherjee Cup at a young age. There was something magical in his feet. Whenever he stepped onto the field, he mesmerized the audience and scored goals effortlessly. Subroto noticed his outstanding performance and selected him as a member of the Indian Under-16 team at the age of 15. He continued to excel, achieving various accomplishments, and played for the Punjab University team and Khalsa College, Mahilpur, winning a gold medal. His remarkable performance in sports attracted the attention of all football clubs in Punjab. However, he chose JCT FC, Phagwara, for his next career move. He played for the club from 1998 to 2000, not only competing at the highest level for India but also establishing his name. Whenever he played in a match, his performance became the topic of discussion. Football pundits often referred to him as the diamond of Indian football and a shining star like the sun.

In the JCT Club, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhi has been coaching the team for the past four years. In 2012, he considered going to Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, but the scouts offered him a chance to come to Canada. Although he received an offer to join the famous Churchill Brothers club in Goa in 2003 for the national team, he couldn't participate due to not being able to travel abroad. He continued to showcase his strong playing skills in the Punjab Police team for some time. Despite his relatively short playing career, he competed in several high-level tournaments and achieved the dream of becoming one of the best footballers in many aspects.

He displayed an outstanding performance in the Asian Club Championship in Dubai in 1999, the Pre-Olympic in 1998-99, and the Safe Games in 1999. He won the Malaysian Merdeka Cup twice and visited England in 2000 and 2007. He also made a notable presence in the Millennium Cup. Within the Indian national team under the guidance of the Russian coach, he was the only Punjabi footballer. He was selected for the Asian Cup in 2002 but couldn't participate due to age restrictions. Despite being a left-footer, he excelled as a long-range shooter. Many times, he scored goals that amazed opponents, spectators, and experts alike. It was a marvel of his football skills. He surprised audiences with his artistic techniques, not just once but multiple times in every match.

Hardeep Singh left India and settled in Canada in 2004. There, he found inspiration in reading and admiring his life story and began fostering enthusiasm among the new generation in the village of Langery for sports activities. He emphasizes the influence of his role models, Yashpal Jassi and Sandeep Saini, and attributes the arrival of the electricity board as the reason for his involvement in sports. His passion for sports has left a profound impact on his own life and the lives of his family members, particularly in the context of Langery's bridegroom's participation in sporting events. This inspirational personality has also served as a guiding light for many other athletes, who have excelled in various sports. Harpreet Kaur, Hardeep's wife, is also an enthusiastic participant in all endeavors, quickly adapting to any task at hand. Their daughter, Harleen Kaur, and son, Tejpratap Singh, have inherited their wealthy legacy. Hardeep excelled in his sporting career for seven years, representing the Electricity Board in 1996-97, JCT in 1998-2002, Punjab Police, and Churchill Brothers in 2003. This star footballer from the Indian team, if he had stayed in India, might have contributed to the development and progress of Indian football, as his talent and skills surpass those of current Indian footballers. However, the impact he has made in sports and beyond is still significant.