Jarkhar, mecca of rural sports, keeps torch burning
Ludhiana: As the 15th Olympian Prithipal Singh Hockey Championship concluded at Jarkhar on June 8, the passion for sports in the village was palpable, showing how far it has come as a 'mecca of rural sports'.
Jarkhar lies about 15km from the city, on Ludhiana-Malerkotla road.
Jarkhar Sports Festival and other tournaments held in the village have become the most anticipated events here. No wonder, they are often referred to as 'modern rural mini Olympics'.
Since its inception in 1986, this vibrant festival has grown from a modest local event into a cornerstone of rural sports and cultural celebration, fostering community spirit, sportsmanship, and the preservation of traditional games.
Held at the state-of-the-art Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Complex, the festival attracts participants and spectators, blending athletic prowess with Punjabi cultural vibrancy.
The festival's history traces back to a small playground and a budget of just Rs 1,200 initiated by the Mata Sahib Kaur Sports and Charitable Trust. Over nearly four decades, it has evolved into a spectacle, drawing athletes from neighbouring villages, districts, and even international teams.
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A pivotal moment in the festival's history came with the establishment of the Jarkhar Hockey Academy in April 2006, spearheaded by chief organiser Jagroop Singh Jarkhar.
The event's growth is reflected in its modern venue, over Rs 6 crore stadium equipped with floodlights, a blue astroturf surface, and facilities including a hostel, 34 rooms, facility to host multiple sports simultaneously. These include hockey, kabaddi, wrestling, football, basketball, handball, volleyball, and athletics.
Jarkhar said, "At present, about 120 aspiring hockey players are being coached and 30 to 40 players are staying in the hostel. The focus remains on hockey, but a boxing academy was also started in 2021."
The festival's impact extends beyond athletics, serving as a cultural hub that celebrates Punjab's rich heritage.
The academy has become a beacon of opportunity for underprivileged youth. Jarkhar said several academy players have participated in various-level competitions, securing stable employment, highlighting the role of the festival and the academy in transforming lives through sports.
"Over 400 players from the academy have already played at the national level and have secured jobs in various departments including Punjab Police, the Railways, etc under the sports quota.
More than 50 players are playing in different leagues abroad and nearly 100 players are making a living from the sport," he added.
Jarkhar said, "Of the Rs 6-7 crore invested in the complex, only Rs 20-30 lakh has come from the govt. We could manage the rest because of the strong community support."
He added, "We have dedicated our lives to it, Nowhere in Punjab will you find such infrastructure. This is the first stadium in the state to have floodlights, that too in rural areas, and they are lit every evening when players play and practice. It has a hostel, 34 rooms, bus service, boarding lodging, and food facilities."
The academy is also recognised by Hockey India
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