Known as the cradle of football, Mahilpur in Punjab has found a special reason to celebrate. The excitement surrounding New Zealand footballer Sarpreet Singh’s selection for the FIFA World Cup has reached his maternal village of Dhada Khurd in Mahilpur block in Hoshiarpur, where his family’s ties remain strong despite having settled abroad decades ago.Following the news of Sarpreet’s World Cup selection, his mother, Sarabjit Kaur, requested retired school principal Sukhchain Singh from the village, a close family friend, to distribute “parshad” at a gurdwara in gratitude. And then as Sarpreet prepared to leave for the World Cup, his mother again asked Sukhchain Singh to offer “ardas” at the gurdwara.She also sent sports kits for around 40 footballers training at the Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, hoping to encourage young players pursuing the sport that shaped her son’s life.Sarpreet’s family migrated to New Zealand nearly 35 years ago. While he was born and raised there, his mother hails from Dhada Khurd and his father belonged to Jalandhar. Despite building their lives overseas, the family ensured that its connection with Punjab never faded.Currently in the US to watch her son compete, Sarabjit Kaur credited his success to years of dedication and hard work. “Sarpreet started playing football when he was just two-and-a-half-years old. He began with local clubs, and many members of our family have been involved in sports. Football was always his passion, and he devoted himself completely to the game,” she told The Tribune over the phone.Sarabjit Kaur said she had visited Punjab many times, while Sarpreet travelled to India around 2017-18 for a match.Sukhchain Singh said the family had maintained strong links with the village over the years.“Even after moving to New Zealand, Sarpreet’s mother remained in touch with people here and has helped many needy families. When Sarpreet’s World Cup selection was confirmed, she immediately wanted to share the happiness with the village,” he said.Expressing gratitude to Sarabjit Kaur for supporting aspiring players, Parampreet Kandowal, general secretary of the Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club, said Sarpreet had brought immense pride to Punjabis through his achievements in international football.“He is among the few footballers of Indian origin to earn the distinction of representing their nation at the FIFA World Cup. It is a matter of great pride for the entire community. Her gesture of sending kits for young players makes this achievement even more meaningful for us,” Kandowal said.Parvinder Singh, Principal of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur, which is associated with the sporting club, said Mahilpur’s rich footballing tradition made Sarpreet’s connection even more special.“Mahilpur has long been known as the cradle of football in Punjab. Generations of footballers have emerged from this region, and Sarpreet’s connection with our area is a source of immense pride,” he said.“For the young footballers who received the kits, Sarpreet’s story is an inspiration that dedication can take a player to heights,” he said.As Sarpreet prepares to represent New Zealand in the FIFA World Cup, people of Dhada Khurd village will be cheering not just for an international footballer, but for one of their own.