Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh/Jalandhar, October 30
Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who donned the hockey’s goalkeeper kit and practised at the Balbir Singh (Senior) Hockey International Stadium in Mohali, may end up playing an exhibition match along with Punjab Sports Minister and Hockey Olympian Pargat Singh, on the sidelines of the Surjit Hockey Tournament, in Jalandhar on Sunday.
While preparing for the exhibition match, Channi spent time practising at the nets at the Mohali stadium with former hockey players Prabhjot Singh, goalie Baljit Singh Dadhwal and trainees of the Punjab Institute of Sports. “There’s a high possibility that he will play an exhibition match in Jalandhar. Pargat Singh and other ministers can also play. So, Channi decided to practice for a while before the match. He stayed at the stadium for 45 minutes,” said a source. Expressing his love for sports, Channi tweeted about his innings as a handball player during his college days. “At the university level, I was a handball player. Felt great while playing with these young players at the hockey stadium today. These youngsters are the future of hockey and I am fascinated by their love for the game,” “He is a keen sports lover. One may term it as a publicity stunt but he did show keen interest today. He was good in judging the ball and even tried stopping penalty corners by professional players,” said a senior official. — TNS
Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi to turn goalie at hockey tourney
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