The residents of Nathowal village in Ludhiana district recently came together to celebrate and honour two of their own for bringing glory to the nation through sports. The village felicitated the husband-wife duo of Gurdeep Singh Buttar and Navdeep Kaur Buttar for their outstanding achievements in hockey and netball, respectively, at various national and international competitions.
A Hockey Legacy Forged in Nathowal
Gurdeep Singh Buttar's tryst with hockey began at the tender age of 7-8 years, guided by his father, Balwant Singh, who was a coach for Hockey Indian services teams across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This early mentorship laid a strong foundation for a distinguished sporting career. Gurdeep pursued his graduation and post-graduation from Patiala and showcased his talent by participating six times each in the senior national games and university games.
Professionally, Gurdeep serves as the principal accountant general in Kolkata. However, his passion for hockey remains undimmed. In a recent remarkable feat, he represented India in the 40-plus category at the World Masters Game and Asian Championship held in Hong Kong from November 26 to 30. His performance was stellar, culminating in him clinching a gold medal for the country.
Netball Excellence: Navdeep Kaur's Stellar Journey
On the other side of this power couple is Navdeep Kaur Buttar, who has carved her own niche in the sport of netball. Currently working as a physical assistant teacher in the education department of Haryana, she has been a consistent performer at the highest levels. Her resume includes participation in numerous national-level competitions, inter-university events, all-India inter-zonal tournaments, the South Asian Championship, and the Asian Netball Championship.
Reflecting on a key milestone, Navdeep shared, "In 2024, I participated in the Asian Netball Championship and represented the Indian team as vice-captain." This leadership role on an international platform underscores her skill and dedication to the sport.
A Proud Moment for Family and Village
The honour ceremony was a heartfelt event organized by the village community. The couple was felicitated at their residence by MLA Hakam Singh, block president Mansa Khan, and fellow villagers. Expressing his emotions, Gurdeep told TOI, "My wife and I were honoured at our residence... It was a proud moment for our family to get honoured by the village elders."
For Navdeep, the recognition held special significance as it came from her roots. She stated, "It was a pleasure moment to be honoured in my own village." The event highlighted not just individual achievement but also the community's pride in nurturing sporting talent that excels on the world stage.
The story of the Buttars serves as a powerful inspiration, demonstrating how dedication to sport can coexist with professional careers, and how local support plays a crucial role in motivating athletes to achieve international success.
