‘Met Manpreet Singh in my school on National Sports Day 2022’

The birth anniversary of Major Dhyan Chand, the legendary Indian hockey player, is commemorated as National Sports Day each year on 29 August. To mark this special occasion, this year, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced ‘Meet The Champion’ initiative in 26 schools across the country.

Of the selected schools, Apeejay School, Model Town in Jalandhar was part of the nation-wide initiative. The school had the privilege to welcome Mr. Manpreet Singh, Captain of the Indian Hockey Team. The ace player visited the school’s campus and was accorded a warm cheer by teachers, students and Principal, Mr. Malkiat Singh.

The event commenced with a cultural programme presented by the students of the school. After that, Mr. Manpreet enthusiastically interacted with the students and took up their queries about health and fitness. He further educated them about healthy food choices, training programmes and fitness regimes.  The player also encouraged them to play sports as part of their daily routine.

Simarbir Kaur, a student of class 7 says, “We were extremely delighted to meet Manpreet sir. The biggest learning was how grounded he was, despite all his achievements. He brought a smile to our faces.”

The school also conducted a sports quiz session for the students where Mr. Manpreet Singh asked them the questions. Those who gave correct answers received an autographed T-shirt by the player. Mr. Manpreet even played Basketball with the students and displayed his passion towards sports and physical energy. He ensured to visit each and every class of the school to interact with all the students.

“When a champion himself inspires you to play and stay fit, it is indeed a great feeling. It was both an enriching and rewarding experience for me. Manpreet sir’s generous and amicable nature gave us moments to cherish for life. His wisdom enlightened us. Also, playing basketball with him was a dream come true for me. The icing on the cake were the cultural performances and quiz session. I feel grateful to the school for having created such a remarkable opportunity for us, says class 7 student Mitesh Dutta.

On this momentous day, videos about healthy foods and lifestyle were showcased to the students. They were informed about the crucial role of sports as an enabler for an inclusive and fit society.