Harjeet Singh Tuli AKA Harjeeta’s Inspiring Story

Harjeet Singh Tuli popularly known as Harjeeta in the world of Indian Hockey Team. Harjeet Singh hails from a small town Kurali in Punjab and from his early childhood days he knew that his heart lies in the field of hockey. He wanted to do something big for India. A synonymous name to Indian Hockey just like Sachin Tendulkar is for Cricket.

He was born on 2nd January, 1996 in the Mohali district of Punjab. His father was a truck driver by profession. He completed his studies from Chakwal National Senior Secondary School in Kurali, Punjab. He would always see the kids getting trained in the hockey academy on his way to school. When he was 11 years old, he decided to take up hockey as his career. He secretly started to get training at Gopal Hockey Academy in Kurali and sneak to the academy while hiding from his neighbors so that no one could complain to his parents.

Later, when his parents came to know about his hockey aspirations, they were slightly taken aback. His father was a truck driver and had minimum earnings to run his family. But with all they had, they supported him by all means. The borrowed some money to buy him the necessities required for the sport. As the family had a poor financial background, there was a time when they told him to leave the sport and start focusing on his studies.

Harjeet knew where his hear was. So he kept practicing hockey secretly. His senior and coaches helped him a lot by lending him the kit to play. Within a small span a time, he was famous among the localities and his parent also recognized his talent. They started supporting him with everything they had. His brother took up a job to support him with his training.

In 2008, to level up his playing skills in hockey, he joined Surjit Singh Academy in Jalandhar and he started to idolize Surjit Singh, the former Indian Captain and Arjuna Awardee. His coaches saw his potential as a midfielder and he glued to what his coaches said.

After the years of rigorous training and struggle, he was finally selected for Punjab Junior Hockey Team in 2012. His dedication and hardwork was seen by all. His sincerity with the sport made them win the title of Junior National Team for two consecutive years. Harjeet Singh emerged as the Most Promising Player, under 21, at the Malaysia Sultan of Johor Cup 2013 and rewarded with Rs. 1 lakh for his extraordinary performance in the tournament. He recalls his childhood days when he used to hide from the known faces so that no one could complain to his parents and today there were posters of him in each and every corner of the village.

And then Harjeet was unstoppable in the field and his hockey career just took off. But the financial obligations became a hurdle for him as his family was suffering from the monetary crisis. It is rightly said that there is always a ray of hope in the dark and at that time, the Delhi Waveriders selected Harjeet Singh to play for Hockey India League (HIL). The HIL honoured him with the Jugraj Singh Upcoming Player of the Year Award, 2016 with the cash prize for his outstanding performance.

The major break in his career was when he was selected for the Indian team. An unbelievable moment for his life, a childhood dream of his was finally a reality. His brilliant performance in the field caught everyone’s attention including his coaches and this led him to the Captain of Indian Hockey Team, Junior Men’s Asia Cup in 2015. Under his captaincy, India won its second gold medal after 15 years at the Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup.

As a captain, he is a friend for all of his team mates who believes in bonding over a ‘kadak chai’. According to him, it’s the tea that makes someone fresh and alert. From deciding the diets to motivating the players, Harjeet does it all.

A biopic based on the true life story of Harjeet Singh was made in the Punjabi Cinema, named ‘Harjeeta’. Ammy Virk (Amninderpal Singh Virk) is a Punjabi actor and singer who has played the role of Harjeet Singh and has worked quite a lot in resembling Harjeet Singh by working out in his body as well his Hockey playing skills.

Harjeeta is a story of the real hero, Harjeet Singh, who did not gave up his dream despite all the obstacles. He has become the inspiration to many hockey players in India.