New Delhi: Sangeet Singh Randhawa is one of the many parents, who are accompanying their sons at the ongoing Junior Hockey World Cup here. But one thing separates him from the rest. He is travelling to the land of his ancestors.
“I always look forward to come to India as it's a wonderful feeling to be here. I can feel I am around my own people. I can identify myself as one of them...this is the place where I came from,“ says the 48-year-old Sangeet.
“I am happy that we could come here, this time because of my son,“ said the Malaysian-born gentleman, adding that his “grandparents were from Amritsar”.
Sangeet’s son, Jayshaan, represents Australia and is a key player in the midfield. “This is my second visit here, and the first time that I am playing in India,” said the 20-year-old Jayshaan, the only Sikh player in the squad.
“I used to follow a bit of Sachin Tendulkar’s game whenever I watch cricket. As for my sporting ambition, I want to represent the Australian senior team in the Olympics.” On the hockey connection, Sangeet said, “My father, Harbans Singh Randhawa and his brothers used to play the sport at the state level in Malaysia. Playing hockey is a tradition in Punjab abd that’s the reason we are so much in love with the sport.
“Jayshaan has been playing hockey since the age of 5. Now, his life revolves only around hockey. And we follow him wherever he plays. It’s his dream and mine too, that he plays for the kookaburras in the Olympics.” Hockey is a family sport for the Randhawas. Besides Jayshaan — who has been a part of Australia’s U-16, U-18, U-21 teams — his sisters Alisha (13) and Jasleen (17) are also club-level players.
Alisha, just like Jayshaan, is an active member of the Doncaster Hockey Club in Victoria.
Jasleen, though, has taken a break as she is preparing to go to the university.
“We followed into the footsteps of Jayshaan. Now we have a lot of things to discuss. He also tells us how to improve our game. We are proud of him,” said Alisha, who also aspires to make it to the Australian women’s team.
Grandfather George Gyori, 77, is Jayshaan’s avid supporter.
“Like many of us, I am here because of the love of the game. I travel with Jayshaan to most places in Europe, besides Malaysia recently for the Johor Bahru Cup and here now.”
