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Love Matches:
Marrying For Sport

MONA, The Tribune

 

 

 

 

 

Marriages, they say, are made in heaven. But sometimes Cupid strikes on the sports field! Here are a few couples who share a common background of track & field … and are all the merrier for it.
 



RAJBEER KAUR & GURMAIL SINGH

It was a match set in a hockey field.

Rajbeer Kaur and Gurmail Singh got to know each other, as both were part of Indian hockey teams at the national level.

He proposed, she said ‘yes’... provided the family agreed. Her mother took a little time saying ‘yes’ for she knew that she will have to anyhow go groom-hunting later.

So at 19, Rajbeer got married.

“What I loved was almost everyone in his family was into a sport that I wanted to pursue.”

Which she duly did.

“He told me he would always support me in sports and he has lived by his word.”

Rajbeer played three Asian games post marriage -- 1986, 1990 and 1994 -- and also had a baby girl in between.

“I could carry on with my career because the family understood the demands on a sportsperson. When you are playing at the international level, you are in and out of the camps and have little time for home.”

Now settled in Jalandhar, Punjab, together they are honing their son Shubhkarman Singh’s skills in hockey.


AVNEET KAUR & RAJPAL SINGH

Avneet Kaur Sidhu, ace shooter, met hockey star Rajpal Singh at a camp in Pune back in 2009.

Avneet shared with her dad that she found him really nice and as luck would have it her father had a chance meeting with Rajpal soon. He endorsed his daughter’s judgement.

Two years later, the couple married. In a year, they had a baby girl to look after. The duo supports each other in their respective sports.

“In fact, he designs my fitness routine too. When I am in competition, he travels along to look after our girl Fatehreet Kaur.”

Being in the sports background helps too, as they could spend time together in Kerala for National Games camp in February earlier this year.

“It works well if a couple shares the same background, it helps to understand your spouse’s challenges and one is better equipped to handle life on and off the field together.”


MANJIT KAUR & GURWINDER SINGH

Looks like hockey players are especially keen on partners from the sports background!

Encouraged by Flying Sikh Milkha Singh's strong and running partnership of six decades with captain of the Indian women's volleyball team, Nirmal Kaur, the latest couple to join the bandwagon are Olympians Manjit Kaur and Gurwinder Singh Chandi.

The sprinter Manjit and Gurwinder’s families have been friends, and it’s the elders who have arranged this match. Back to Punjab post a honeymoon in Indonesia, Manjit is happy having married in the prestigious league.

“There have been examples of successful marriage partnerships led by Milkha Singh and Nirmal Kaur, and then Avneet and Rajpal,” shares Manjit, who is all geared to support her spouse in his endeavours on the field, apart from handling her duties as Deputy Superintendent of Police at police headquarters, Hoshiarpur, Punjab.


[Courtesy: Tribune. Edited for sikhchic.com]
May 6, 2015
 

 

 

 

Conversation about this article

1: Baldev Singh (Bradford, United Kingdom), May 06, 2015, 7:19 PM.

This is awesome. A real kick in the teeth to the horrid arranged or forced marriage nightmare and evil so many have had to go through and then suffer for their entire lives. These couples show the true spirit and liberation of Sikhi to stand on your own two feet and choose your own life and live it without anyone dictating to you what to do or how to do it! Great couples and great lifestyles.

2: Harinder Singh 1469 (New Delhi, India), May 07, 2015, 9:38 AM.

Well picked. Lovely photos. Salute to sikhchic.com for adding sports related stories. I have had the pleasure of meeting most of those named in the article. They are all humble and extraordinary men and women, with amazing life styles.

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Marrying For Sport"









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