This Indian footballer has remembered the words of Flying Sikh Milkha Singh in 2015 and told how his words inspire him.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is the goalkeeper of the Indian football team (Pic Credit AIFF)
The country lost its legendary sprinter Milkha Singh on Friday. Milkha Singh’s life is an inspiration for anyone. He has set many records in his life and has set benchmarks for the people. Whatever he got from him, he used to learn something or the other. His inspirational words have the power to add to the broken courage of anyone. Something similar happened to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the goalkeeper of the Indian football team. Sandhu has told that the words of Milkha Singh, popularly known as Flying Sikh, inspire him even today.
Gurpreet recalled the words of Milkha Singh and told that this great sprinter told him that “You don’t have to stop.” Sandhu said that his advice helped him to fight the challenges during his European tenure. Veteran Milkha Singh passed away on Friday in Chandigarh due to complications related to COVID-19. Thousands of countrymen, including players, paid tribute to him.
no substitute for hard work
Recalling the day he received the award from Milkha Singh at a function in Chandigarh in 2015, Gurpreet said, “He (Milkha) told me, “There is no substitute for hard work. I used to vomit blood several times during practice but you don’t have to stop. At that time, I was playing club football in Norway with FC Stabeck, where every day was a struggle to prove myself and make it to the starting team. It was a big challenge while abroad, there were days when it was difficult to maintain my enthusiasm.
He said, “However, I myself used to remember the advice of ‘Flying Sikh’. He was a great motivator and inspired me to give my all every day. The words he spoke to me are with me even today and will continue to be a great source of inspiration. His words and blessings will be with me whenever I fight for my country on the football field.
keeps the legacy alive
Gurpreet became the first Indian footballer to play in Europe’s top division in 2014, representing Norway’s FC Stabeck. He remained with the team until 2017 and during this time became the first Indian player to play in the Europa League (European football’s second level club competition) in 2016.
Remembering Milkha Singh, who missed out on a bronze medal by a hundredth of a second at the Rome Olympics (1960), Gurpreet said, “The saga of great people and their legacy lives on forever. Milkha Singh ji and his life story have influenced billions of people in India and across the world. He may not be with us but he will continue to inspire generations to come. We all have grown up reading about him and will never forget to share the stage with him. That moment will always be close to my heart.
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