Leicester (Samaj Weekly)- Sports talent from Leicestershire and beyond converged at Guru Amar Das Gurdwara on Sunday 10 December to celebrate the achievements of one of the main Asian football team in Leicester, FC KHALSA GADG which was formed by six friends 44 years ago.
After the hot refreshments, Sri Sukhmani Sahib Ji Pathh started at 9.30 am which was completed at about 11.00 am after which the Kirtan Jatha based at the Gurdwara sang religious hymns for an hour. A team of FC Khalsa youth and Senior players, managers and supporters performed Kirtan which was well liked by those performing and as well as those listened to it. The money donated for the half hour Kirtan performance was given to Khalsa Aid.
Jagtar Singh who managed the Senior team for number of years was given a Siropa {Garland of Honour} by the Gurdwara. It was mainly due to his management style that the club won the prestigious Premier Division of the Khalsa Football Federation summer tournament at Walsall in 2009 for which he was recognised by the Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara management committee.
When the club started in 1979, they played in the City League and gradually progressed the divisions of the City League and now play in the Leicestershire Senior League at Judgemeadow Community College on Merydene Drive in the Evington area of Leicester.
Lakhvir Singh Lally speaking from the stage thanked everyone who took time from their busy lives to join in the celebrations and pointed out that FC KHALSA was the first Asian club in Leicester to start a football academy for children. Ranjit Singh Kooner ‘Jit’ was presented with trophy for his remarkable service to the club for 32 years. Lally also pointed out that as we got older and stopped playing so the academy we had started stopped. But due to great demand we have started new football academy for boys and girls few months ago. Soon the club will apply to play children’ team in the league. He congratulated Ranjit Singh Jit for his over 30 years of service to the club for which Jit was presented with a trophy.
On behalf of the club Santokh Singh said “For 32 years Jit has served the club as a player, manager of various teams, senior, veterans and youth. He continues to serve FC KHALSA and is the manager of Over 35s and Over 45s teams in the summer tournaments winning most of them. Ranjit has enabled many players to enjoy their football and improved their physical and psychological health. We are lucky to have had his services for over three decades. Following in his footsteps his son manages the Under !5s youth team in the annual summer tournaments.
After receiving the trophy Ranjit Singh Kooner commented “Thank you all for this recognition. I did not expect this. It’s been a pleasure serving FC KHALSA for over 30 years as a player and manager. Hopefully I have few more years left to in the tank to serve the club I love.”
JAGIR SINGH BASSI TRIBUTE
A very long serving member of the club passed away few years ago. He was affectionately known to all as Uncle. Jagir Singh did his utmost best in developing the football talents of Leicester Asian players for decades and was well respected throughout the country in sporting circles. The Under 13s team dedicated their winning trophy at Birmingham to Uncle Ji. He was represented at the celebrations by all his family some of whom also performed Kirtan. The club fondly remember him encouraging players and proving water to children at the Indian football tournaments in the summer. Following him one of his sons Rana manages the Under 13s team in the summer tournaments.
Leicester Kabbadi Club’s Kulwant Singh Sangha, Kulbir Singh Khakh and Jatinder Singh Chahal were very happy to join in the celebrations. Kulwant Singh Sangha said “We at Leicester Kabaddi Club congratulate the achievements of FC KHALSA whose matches we sponsor from time to time”.
On behalf of the Gurdwara, Sukhdev Singh Sangha said “ We are proud to support FC KHALSA and wish to congratulate them for all their achievements and opening the children football academy. Our doors are always open to them when ever they want to organise any sort of programme or have a meeting. The whole management of the Gurdwara were very impressed with the Kirtan performed by the club.”
At the end, payers were said for good health for everyone and world peace. The celebrations were shown on PTC News sky channel 766.
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