At the age of 75, renowned hockey coach Baldev Singh, who recently received Padma Shri — the nation’s fourth-highest civilian honour — has kept alive the fire in him to guide young talent towards glory.He received the Padma Shri on June 25. Baldev Singh also got the Dronacharya Award in 2009 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to sports coaching.Though he is no longer associated with any academy or institution in an official capacity, Baldev Singh, keen to play an active role in state’s hockey resurgence, says remains committed to mentoring promising youngsters and strengthening the sport at the grassroots.His vast experience and proven ability to nurture talent can prove invaluable in grooming the next generation of hockey players, provided his services are effectively utilised to strengthen the sport. Widely regarded as one of the most respected hockey mentors, Baldev Singh believes the revival of the nation’s hockey lies in identifying and grooming players from an early age. Despite his advancing age, Baldev Singh is involved in coaching and mentoring aspiring players.For him, hockey is more than a game — it is a lifelong mission. Having spent decades serving the sport, he continues to inspire youngsters through his dedication, discipline and vision. His relentless efforts have earned him admiration across the sporting fraternity, with many viewing him as a torchbearer of hockey’s rich legacy in the state.Talking to The Tribune, Baldev Singh, who has mentored over 50 international players, said a structured policy covering schools was needed if the state wanted to regain its lost glory in hockey and other sports disciplines.He suggests the state government should formulate a sports policy similar to that of Haryana to revive the sporting ecosystem and encourage youngsters to take up sports.“Haryana plans well. It scouts talent early, gives secure jobs, substantial cash awards and protects an athlete’s career. That is why their medal count has risen in national games every time,” Baldev Singh said.“Punjab has no dearth of talent. What we need is a policy that handholds a player from under-14 level to the Olympics,” he added.The veteran coach advocates for more lucrative prize money for outstanding sportspersons to motivate youngsters. “Just look at Haryana. An Olympic gold fetches Rs 6 crore there. In Punjab, it is still lower. If we want parents in villages to send their children to the ground instead of abroad, the incentive must be stronger,” Baldev Singh said.He said the current system largely rewards podium finishes. “What about a boy or a girl who misses a medal? The player returns to farming or to driving a taxi, or takes up another activity. We must secure their future so they stay in the system,” he added.The coach praised the state government for giving prize money “immediately after players’ achievements”, but pushed for more attractive awards to draw youngsters to sports.“Jobs, stipends and higher cash awards will keep a U-14 player in the system even if they miss a medal,” he said.The veteran coach recommended prize money be extended to junior and youth levels and not be limited to Olympics and Asian Games.He advocated for assured Class-III and Class-II government jobs for national medallists and international players, on the Haryana pattern. He pressed for funding school-level academies with Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS)-qualified coaches and fixing accountability for talent output.Baldev Singh reiterated his suggestions to the ongoing push for village-level hockey. With sections of Punjab Agricultural University’s old AstroTurf being installed at Mundian Kalan and Bondli in Samrala, he proposed under-12 and under 14 leagues in the district.“Turf is one part, policy is the other. Give a 14-year-old from Mundian or Bondli a guarantee of education, diet and a job he or she performs well, and you will see the grounds full again,” he said.Have five good years left in me, says veteran coach“Despite undergoing a bypass surgery in 2019, I have five good years of ground work left in me. If Punjab adopts a Haryana-like policy and backs it with money and jobs, we will produce champions again. Prize money and policy must go hand in hand. Otherwise, we will keep applauding other states,” the coach went on to add.Baldev Singh said he is ready to share his experience and expertise for the benefit of young players, and sees Jarkhar as the place to do it.“The village has hockey in its blood, but no full-fledged synthetic turf,” he pointed out. “Give Jarkhar a proper synthetic surface and I will give my experience for free. We can prepare the players there for future competitions, including nationals. Jarkhar village runs a hockey academy, has a strong decades-old tradition of the sport and hosts one of state’s biggest rural sports festivals. However, players still train on grass or a six-a-side surface. A full-size AstroTurf will bridge the gap between village talent and city academies,” the coach added.Confident that Punjab possesses abundant hockey talent, Baldev Singh believes a combination of quality infrastructure, sound policy support and experienced mentorship can help the state reclaim its position as a powerhouse of Indian hockey.He says his contributions will continue as long as he can step onto a hockey field.AstroTurf at Jarkhar in worksA long-pending demand of the hockey fraternity in the region appears to be moving towards fruition as the Punjab Sports Department has issued directions to complete the formalities for the installation of a full-size AstroTurf in Jarkhar village, one of the state’s most prominent hockey nurseries, said Jagroop Singh Jarkhar, chief administrator, Jarkhar Hockey Academy. The development comes following sustained efforts by Mata Sahib Kaur Sports Charitable Trust, Jarkhar, which had submitted a detailed proposal to the government seeking a modern AstroTurf to boost hockey activities in the area. The village has earned national recognition for producing accomplished players and for promoting the sport through its academy and tournaments, said Jarkhar. “Once the facility is established, veteran coach Baldev Singh would impart coaching and guidance on talented youngsters, creating a strong pathway for nurturing future hockey stars,” Jarkhar added with confidence.