CHANDIGARH, JAN 9 : Former Indian hockey captain Padam Shree Pargat Singh has resigned as Director of Sports, Punjab Government, on Monday. According to sources, Pargat Singh has resigned on “personal reasons.”
Mr Pargat Singh will be contesting for Punjab Vidhan Sabha from Jalandhar Cantonment on the Shrimoni Akali Dal (Badal) ticket.
Mr Pargat Singh was the 13th Sports Director. He joined the Punjab Sports Department on September 22, 2005 and resigned after streamlining the functioning of the Depatment which was without sufficient funds for various schemes, limited number of coaches and supporting staff.
He always believes that there is a scope of improvement always. “No body should think that nobody will surpass him or her. If I have made some improvement, somebody definitely can improve upon his or her work.”
Pargat Singh was on deputation from the Punjab Police. It was only late last year, he was absorbed in the Punjab Sports Department as Director.
Earlier, international wrestler Kartar Singh, IPS, was the Director of Sports from February 2, 2002 to September 22, 2005.
Besides, Pargat Singh, Kartar Singh and Lt Col Raminder Singh, the fourth prominent sportsperson to hold this coveted post was Senior Balbir Singh. Triple Olympic hockey gold medalist Senior Balbir Singh was Sports Director from September 3, 1975 to December 31, 1982. December 31 is the birthday of Senior Balbir Singh.
Six IAS and one PCS officers have also served the Sports Department as Sports Director.
Roll of Honour:
1 Balbir Singh 3-9-1975 to 31-12-1982.
2 Ram Murti Bassi, PCS 1-1-1983 to 28-2-1983.
3 DN Dhir, IAS, 1-3-1983-31-5-1984.
4 NS Cheema, IAS, 1-6-1984 to 30-11-1987.
5 GS Bains, IAS, 3-12-1987 to 16-8-1990.
6 TC Gupta, IAS, 17-8-1990 to 26-7-1991.
7 JS Ahluwalia, IAS, 26-7-1991 to 24-12-1991.
8 Jatinderbir Singh, IAS, 7-1-1992-11-5-1992.
9 SK Kakkar, IAS, 11-5-1992 to 6-8-1992.
10. Lt Col Raminder Singh 6-8-1992 to 31-12-2001.
11 Kartar Singh, IPS, 5-2-2002 to 22-9-2005.
12. Pargat Singh 22-9-2005 to 9-1-2012.