“Tumhe rukna nahi hai (you cannot stop)”, these phrases from legendary Millkha Singh nonetheless evokes Indian soccer goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu who says the recommendation from the ‘Flying Sikh’ helped him struggle challenges throughout his European stint.
Iconic sprinter Milkha died in Chandigarh on Friday because of COVID-19 associated issues and there was an outpouring of tributes from hundreds of countrymen, together with sportspersons.
Gurpreet remembers a ceremony in Chandigarh in 2015 the place Milkha gave away an award to him.
“He (Millkha) told me ‘Hard work has no replacement. I even used to vomit blood at times after training but tumhe rukna nahi hai’,” (You can’t cease!),” Gurpreet stated in an AIFF launch.
“At that point, I used to be enjoying my membership soccer in Norway with FC Stabaek, the place every single day was a struggle to show myself and break into the beginning lineup. It was an ideal problem and dwelling overseas, there have been days when it was laborious to maintain my spirits up.
To be capable to share the identical house with you’ll without end be a second I’ll preserve with me. RIP #MilkhaSingh pic.twitter.com/4YHPdTQnRH
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) June 19, 2021
“However, I used to fall again on these phrases spoken to me by ‘the Flying Sikh’ himself, they had been an ideal motivator and pushed me to present my all every day.
“The words he spoke to me are still with me and continue to be a huge source of inspiration. His words and blessings will always be with me whenever I am fighting on the football pitch for my country,” stated the 29-year-old India primary goalie who has additionally captained the nationwide staff.
In 2014, Gurpreet turned the primary Indian footballer to play in a high division membership in Europe when he turned out for FC Stabaek of Norway.
He stayed with FC Stabaek until 2017. In 2016, he turned the primary Indian participant to play in Europa League, European soccer’s second-tier membership competitors.
Paying tribute to Milkha, whose greatest identified exploit was the fourth-place end on the 1960 Rome Olympics, Gurpreet stated, “Legends and their legacies live on forever.”
“Milkha Singh-ji and his life story has influenced billions of people in India and across the world, and even though he is no more with us, he will continue to inspire future generations.”
He stated there have to be so many extra athletes throughout the nation whose lives had been touched by the legendary Milkha and hoped they’d in a position to push themselves to the subsequent degree via his blessings and knowledge.
“All of us grew up studying about him and his successes, and to have shared the stage with him in individual is a reminiscence I’ll all the time preserve near my coronary heart.
“He is one of India’s greatest sports persons of all-time. His achievements on the track are second to none and even in his eighties, he was devoted religiously to fitness and always encouraged others to do the same.”