By Saurabh Duggal
Patiala: Junior national boxing medallist Bipran Beer Singh migrated to Australia in search of a greener pasture. But life had something different in store. On May 28, 2010, Bipran, just 22, died in a road accident.
It’s over 11 years since Bipran left, but he continues to inspire kids from humble backgrounds to excel in boxing.
Children from his village Hasanpur Purohita and surrounding areas of Punjab are honing their skills at the Bipran Beer Singh Boxing and Training Centre. The centre has produced two international and over dozen national-level boxers and the count is on.
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To keep Bipran’s memory alive, father Surjit Singh along with boxing lovers started a free coaching centre in the village.
“On the day of Bipran’s bhog, we decided to start a boxing centre in the village. This was the only way I could pay tribute to my son and keep his memories alive,” says Surjit, who is also the sarpanch of the village. From Day One, the centre is imparting free coaching and even provides free equipment to the trainees.
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Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust president SP Singh Oberoi donated a boxing ring, and Bipran’s family takes care of the coach’s salary and equipment has been provided through the family’s contacts.
Bipran’s coach Harpreet Singh, who retired from the Punjab Sports Department last year, has been monitoring the centre since its inspection.
“Within two years of opening the centre, two girls from Hasanpur Purohita village made it to the Indian team in age group categories. The trainees are regularly representing Punjab in the Nationals and there is hardly any Punjab team that doesn’t have representation from the Bipran Beer Singh Boxing and Training Centre,” says Harpreet.
“In the coming years you will see more international boxers emerging from the centre,” he claimed.
The author is a senior sports journalist based out of Chandigarh
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