Jaswant Singh Gandam/Raman Nehra
PHAGWARA, Punjab: Men’s and Women’s football matches were held on the ground of Sri Guru Hargobind Khalsa Senior Secondary School of historic village Palahi to commemorate fifth death anniversary of the octogenarian educationist and social service stalwart Jagat Singh Palahi.
These matches were organized by Jatinderpal Singh Palahi, President Guru Nanak College Phagwara and Palahi village educational institutions.
In under-19 football match of men, Jagat Singh Palahi Junior Football Academy defeated team of school team by 2-0 goals. In the women show match, Jagat Singh Palahi Women’s football team defeated HMV team by 3-2 goals in an interesting match.
Nine national players starred in these teams and showed their football prowess to game lovers. Rs 7100 cash prize and a trophy were awarded to the winners while runners up were given Rs 3100 cash prize and memento.
Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) member Jathedar Sarwan Singh Kular and Canada-based NRI Baljit Singh Sal were the chief guest and guest of honor at these matches.
Organizer Jatinderpal Singh Palahi announced that women’s football tournament would be held every year on the death anniversary of Jagat Singh Palahi.
Football coach and veteran footballer Ram Lubhaya Parbhakar, young football coach and player Paramjit Singh Pamma, Principals Paramjit Kaur, Raminder Kaur and Ravinder Bhargav, journalist TD Chawla and Prof Jaswant Singh Gandam were present, among others.
AÂ two-time state awardee for social work, Jagat Singh Palahi, who had settled in Canada in his twilight years, remained village Sarpanch for long, besides remaining Phagwara Improvement Trust and Market Committee chairman. He was life-time President of Guru Nanak College Phagwara and also headed half dozen Palahi village educational institutions.
Having earned the sobriquet of ‘Vikas Pursh’ (Development  Man), Jagat Singh Palahi breathed his last in November, 2013 in Canada.