AI Generated Summary
- For the villagers, Sarpreet Singh is not merely an international footballer representing his country — he is also a son of Punjab whose success has become a source of collective pride and inspiration.
- The announcement of New Zealand footballer Sarpreet Singh’s inclusion in his country’s FIFA World Cup squad has sparked celebrations thousands of kilometres away in Punjab, where residents of Dhada Khurd village are proudly claiming a connection to the international footballer.
- In a gesture aimed at encouraging the next generation of footballers, Sarabjit Kaur sent sports kits for around 40 young players training at the Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club in Mahilpur.
The announcement of New Zealand footballer Sarpreet Singh’s inclusion in his country’s FIFA World Cup squad has sparked celebrations thousands of kilometres away in Punjab, where residents of Dhada Khurd village are proudly claiming a connection to the international footballer.
Nestled in the Mahilpur region, long regarded as one of Punjab’s strongest football nurseries, the village has been abuzz with excitement ever since news of Singh’s World Cup selection emerged. Though born and raised in New Zealand, the midfielder’s maternal roots trace back to Dhada Khurd, a bond that his family has carefully preserved over the decades.
To mark the milestone, Singh’s mother, Sarabjit Kaur, reached out to family friend and retired school principal Sukhchain Singh from the village, requesting that prayers of thanksgiving be offered at the local gurdwara. As her son prepared to depart for football’s biggest stage, she again asked for an ardas seeking blessings for his journey and success.
The celebrations extended beyond religious observances. In a gesture aimed at encouraging the next generation of footballers, Sarabjit Kaur sent sports kits for around 40 young players training at the Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club in Mahilpur.
Singh’s family emigrated to New Zealand nearly three-and-a-half decades ago. While Sarpreet built his football career overseas, his mother belongs to Dhada Khurd and his father’s roots lie in Jalandhar. Family members say the connection to Punjab has remained strong despite the passage of time and distance.
Speaking from the United States, where she travelled to support her son during the tournament, Sarabjit Kaur reflected on the dedication behind his achievement. She recalled that Sarpreet’s association with football began when he was barely two-and-a-half years old and that sport had always been an integral part of family life.
“Football was his passion from the very beginning,” she said. “He started playing with local clubs as a child and remained completely committed to the game. Years of discipline and hard work have brought him to this stage.”
According to village residents, Sarabjit Kaur has remained closely connected with her ancestral home and has often extended assistance to families in need. Sukhchain Singh noted that sharing the joy of her son’s World Cup achievement with the village was important to her.
“She wanted the entire village to be part of this moment,” he said. “Despite living abroad for many years, she has never forgotten her roots.”
Local football administrators have also welcomed the family’s support for young athletes. Parampreet Kandowal, General Secretary of the Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, described Singh’s World Cup appearance as a landmark achievement for the global Punjabi community.
“Very few footballers of Indian origin have earned the opportunity to represent their nation at the FIFA World Cup,” he said. “His success is inspiring, and the contribution of sports kits for our trainees makes the occasion even more meaningful.”
Mahilpur’s footballing heritage has further amplified local pride. Parvinder Singh, Principal of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, said the region’s longstanding reputation as a cradle of football in Punjab makes Singh’s association with the area particularly significant.
“For generations, talented footballers have emerged from this belt,” he said. “Young players here see Sarpreet’s journey as proof that dedication and perseverance can take them to the highest levels of the sport.”
As New Zealand takes the field on football’s grandest stage, the cheers from Dhada Khurd will carry a special emotion. For the villagers, Sarpreet Singh is not merely an international footballer representing his country — he is also a son of Punjab whose success has become a source of collective pride and inspiration.
