Trip down memory lane

Talent drain

Following in the footsteps of former renowned city cagers like Tejinder Singh and Gurscharanjit Singh,Harminder also carved a name for himself in the sport but due to lack of opening in government jobs he had to move from Chandigarh in search of employment. He was just 18 at that time and too young to fall into the vicious circle of social responsibilities. But it was family responsibilities that finally got to him. He lost his father in a road accident at a young age. While the family was trying to overcome the grief,Harminder was called for the Nationals. His mother,Karamjeet Kaur,became a pillar of strength for him and forced him to attend the tournament. She not only backed him to continue in the sport but also solved several other issues,financial crises being one of them. She took the job of a school teacher and continued to nurse the dreams of seeing her son in the Indian colours. “Losing my father at such an early age was a major setback. However,I am grateful to my mother who stood by me and encouraged me to keep on playing,” he shared.

He had already represented India at both the junior and senior level by that time. Opportunity came his way in the form of Punjab Police and soon Harminder was recruited as a constable.

Rich sport background

Harminder came from a family where someone or the other were attached with basketball. One of his aunts and cousin siblings had played basketball for India in the past. With time,Harminder also became inclined towards the sport. He was ten when his late father,Kulwinder Singh,enrolled him at a basketball training centre at DAV School in Sector 15. Blessed with good height (he is six feet six inches tall) and great skills on the court,Harminder was an instant hit on the local circuit.

But the Chandigarh Basketball Association failed to check the exodus of top players like Harminder from Chandigarh. The recent case is that of Amjyot Singh- a member of the Indian team- who left Chandigarh to join IOB.

When asked about his future plans,Harminder said,”I would like to open a basketball academy in Jalandhar after few years. A lot of attention is required on teaching defence to the budding cagers. Players nowadays lack in defence strategies. I would want to coach cagers and pass on the skills to the future generation.” Harminder looks up to Jagdeep Singh (DSP Jalandhar) as his mentor while his wife,Bandana,has been his backbone. “It is very important for a sportsperson to keep his motivation level high. There was time when my morale was down and I was not included in the team for Nationals also. Then,it was Jagdeep paaji and my wife who helped me get me out of that tough phase. Now I am back in action and raring to go,” concluded Harminder.