Asian Champions Trophy: Araijeet Singh Hundal Journey from Rural Amritsar to Indian Hockey Glory

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Nearly a decade ago, a hockey-loving family from Pakharpur, a village in the Amritsar district of Punjab, ignited a passion in young Araijeet Singh Hundal.

A decade later, the youngster from Punjab was a member of the victorious Indian team that won the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in China. Araijeet played a key role in the 4-1 victory against South Korea in the semi-finals.

On Tuesday (September 17), India outplayed hosts China 1-0 to win the trophy. Jugraj Singh scored the match-winner in the 51st minute after a goalless first half.

"Close relatives and family members, including Araijeet's grandfather and father, have been closely associated with field hockey for a long time," said Kuljit Singh, a hockey coach from Amritsar.

It was Araijeet's father, a former junior international hockey player, who guided his son to the sport. "I knew his father and he wanted his son to play hockey," the coach revealed.

Young Arajeet Singh Hundal joined Amritsar's Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy, run by Olympian Balwinder Singh Shammi and his friends, in 2013 to learn the fundamentals of the game. Kuljit was the coach at the academy and took the youngster under his wing. Arajeet was among a fresh batch of 20 students who enrolled in the residential wing of the academy in 2013. The academy does not charge fees from the students, the coach added.

Whether it was genetics or passion, Arajeet quickly made a strong impression. "At the 2015 CBSE national hockey tournament in Coorg, Karnataka, he was adjudged the best player of the tournament," the coach added. "It was the first step to stardom. He was later called up for the junior national team and subsequently moved to the core group of the elite camp."

Amritsar's promising hockey player honed his skills at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Hockey Academy from 2013 to 2017. While in the tenth class, he moved to Jalandhar for better opportunities, continuing to play for Punjab and Sind Bank Hockey Academy while still in school.

The academy, established in Amritsar in the early 2000s by local hockey enthusiasts, has served as a vital platform for talented youngsters from rural areas. "Good fundamentals learned in the formative years have guided them to excel at major international tournaments, including the Olympic Games," Kuljit explained.

International hockey player Ramandeep Singh was the first player from the academy to compete at the Olympic Games. "Our academy has produced more than 700 national-level players. Olympian Shamsher Singh also learned the fundamentals here," the coach revealed.

The academy began with a residential wing but closed the hostel facilities post-COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. Currently, there are more than 50 budding hockey players from rural areas of Amritsar who regularly attend the academy. The players come for morning and evening practice, the coach added. "There is a proposal in the pipeline to revive the residential wing of the academy," the coach said.

In the heart of India's hockey belt, Punjab, where the sport runs deep in its veins, Arajeet Singh Hundal's journey epitomises the region's passion for hockey. From the modest beginnings in the village of Pakharpur to the heights of international success, Arajeet's story is a shining example of how Amritsar's rich hockey tradition nurtures exceptional talent.

His crucial role in India's triumph at the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy highlights the region's significant contribution to the sport. Araijeet's achievements not only celebrate his dedication but also highlight Amritsar's enduring legacy as a powerhouse of Indian hockey. As Araijeet Singh Hundal continues to inspire, his success reaffirms the strength and spirit of a community that has long been at the forefront of hockey excellence.