New Delhi: Hockey India congratulated former Indian captain RP Singh after Uttar Pradesh Government honoured the services of the yesteryear’s hockey star by naming a 2km-road in Churia, a village in Deoria district after him.
“It is a very befitting honour that the Uttar Pradesh Government is naming a road in Churia village after former India captain RP Singh. I am sure this recognition will inspire hockey players in the state to emulate his success in the field of sports. RP Singhs’ contribution to hockey as a player as well as an administrator has helped develop the sport in Uttar Pradesh,” Hockey India officiating president Gyanendro Ningombam said.
Singh, a native of Churia, a small hamlet about 365 km from state capital Lucknow, went on to join the sports hostel in Lucknow at the age of 14 where he honed his skills as a hockey player. An illustrious career was soon to follow as he won several international accolades in his stint with the Indian team including a silver in 1982 Asian Games in Delhi, bronze in Seoul Asian Games in 1986 and silver in Beijing Asian Games in 1990. He was also part of the Indian Team that participated in the 1986 men’s World Cup in London as well as the 1990 men’s World Cup in Lahore.
His passion for sports led him to take up a job with the Uttar Pradesh Government. Today, he heads the Department of Youth Services and Sports as the Director. Under his leadership, Uttar Pradesh successfully hosted the 2016 junior men’s World Cup in Lucknow which was historically won by the home team, India. He has also been at the forefront of developing world-class sports infrastructure in the state.
“It is a great honour I will cherish the most. I am thankful to the Uttar Pradesh government for bestowing such an honour on me. This decision was announced by Hon’ble Deputy CM Keshav Prakash Maurya during the National Sports Day celebrations in Lucknow last week,” expressed Singh.
“I have dedicated my whole life for sports, first as a hockey player and then as an administrator. I hope this recognition will inspire athletes from my state to achieve success in the field of sports,” he added.
