Principal Harbhajan Singh was the first Principal of Shri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, who was passionate for sowing the seeds of football in the land of Mahilpur. After his heavenly departure, his students and some admirers decided to carry forward his name and vision. In 1962, Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club was established to promote and expand football in the region, Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, organizes Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Tournament, a National Level Football Tournament every year.

Late Dr. Narinder Pal (1962-1971) was the first President of Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club. After him, Late Sardar Amar Singh Bharta (1972-1980), Late S. Harkishan Dial Singh Bains Retd. DEO (1981-1990), Olympian Late S. Jarnail Singh (Arjuna Awardee (1991-1993)), Late S. Harbans Singh Bains (Retired Engineer in Chief 1994-2012) served as the President of this club. Presently S. Kulwant Singh Sangha has been serving as Sixth President of this club.

Club’s office is located in the campus of SGGS Khalsa College Mahilpur, club is registered under the Societies Registration Act (XXI of 1960) of Punjab Government. The club is also registered with Punjab Football Association and All India Football Federation. Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Football Tournament is the only tournament in Punjab which is registered with All India Football Federation and conducted at all India Level.

Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, runs four football teams in the name of Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Academy (College), Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Academy (Collegiate School) Principal Harbhajan Singh Training Centre Baraian (Sub Junior) and Principal Harbhajan Singh Training Centre Langery (Sub Junior) to promote football in this region. Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Academy (College) participates in Punjab Super League (A Division) and all registered Tournaments in Punjab. Other teams also participate in various leagues conducted by Punjab Football Association.

On the 50th Anniversary of the Tournament in 2012, the level of Tournament was elevated from the State level to the National level. The registration of this Tournament has been done with Punjab Football Association, and All India Football Federation, Delhi. In this Tournament, Clubs from various parts of India such as Bengal, Kerala, Mumbai, Jamshedpur, Pune, Rajasthan, and Delhi started participating and making it the most prestigious and rewarding tournament of India. The tournament offered double the prize money as compared to previous years, with a prize of Rupees Two Lakh for the winners and Rupees One and Half Lakh for the Runners-Up in Club Category.

Under the dynamic leadership of Club’s President S. Kulwant Singh Sangha (UK), with the support of local residents, club members, and organizers, the Tournament was scheduled to take place from 15th to 22nd February 2023 at Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Stadium, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, commemorating its 60th edition. Similar to previous years, the Tournament featured three categories: Club, College, and Under-17 Academy, with 12, 10, and 10 teams respectively participating. The tournament was organized with the All India Football Federation in collaboration with the CRS and CMS system.

The 60th edition of this Tournament was conducted for the eight days. The following clubs participated in the Club Category: Peerless FC Kolkata, Delhi FC Delhi, Kerala FC Kerala, Rajasthan United Jaipur, Round Glass FC Mohali, Jink FC Rajasthan, and Techtro Swades United Academy Una. Apart from these Clubs, Punjab Police FC Jalandhar, CRPF FC Jalandhar, Namdhari FC Bhaini Sahib, RCF FC Kapurthala, and YFC Mahilpur were also part of the tournament. In the Under-17 Academy Category, Minerva Academy Mohali, Techtro Swades United Academy Una, Round Glass FC A Mohali, Namdhari FA Bhaini Sahib, Chandigarh Football Academy, Shri Dashmesh Martial Art Academy Anandpur Sahib, Football Academy Palwal, Football Academy Baddon, and JCT Academy Phagwara participated. Additionally, ten college teams from Punjab were also part of the tournament.

The competition among Club Category and Under-17 Academies is monitored by the All India Football Federation Delhi. The Club Category is conducted on League cum Knock Out Basis and for the College-Academy Category the Knockout format is used to conduct the matches.

In this Tournament, the winning team in the Club Category receives a cash prize of Rupees Two Lakh, while the Runner-Up team will be awarded with Rupees One and Half Lakh along with medals. In the College Category, the winning and runner-up teams receive cash prizes of seventy-five thousand and fifty thousand rupees respectively, along with medals. Similarly, the winning team of Under-17 Academy Category receive Thirty-One thousand rupees, and the team securing the second position receive Twenty-One thousand rupees along with medals.

Individual awards are also presented in each category. The Best Scorer and the Best Player in the Club Category are awarded 6,500 rupees each as Comrade Darshan Singh Canadian Award. In the College category, the Best Scorer and the Best Player receive Coach Ali Hasan Award (Rupees 5,500), and in the Under-17 Academy Category, the Best Player receive 3,100 Rupees (Guru Datt Award).

Every team participating in the Club category receive Eight to Ten Thousand rupees for each match as DA. In the College category, each team receive Five Thousand Rupees per match, and in the Under-17 Academy Category, each team receive Three Thousand Rupees per match as DA.

Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club has published two books ‘Mahilpur da Football Jagat, and Mahilpur da Football Sansar’ based on the Legendry Football Players of this region, written by Sh. Baljinder Mann. Club also publishes souvenir, “The Mahilpur Football Week” every year.

This Tournament has been organized every year successfully with the help of various National and International Trusts, Clubs and Football Promoters. The following associates are contributing every year for the conduct of this mega event:

1. Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Education and Sports Trust Vancouver Canada
2. Principal Harbhajan Singh Memorial Trust BC Canada-USA-UK
3. Principal Harbhajan Singh Sports and Educational Trust UK, England

A website hssportingclub.com was launched in 2015 to maintain and update the club achievement and related literature of Mahilpur Football.

Contents by
Dr Parampreet Kaindowal