# Grassroots Hoshiarpur: Mahilpur’s Football Tradition and Village Sport

- Link: https://hoshiarpurtoday.com/grassroots-hoshiarpur-mahilpurs-football-tradition-and-village-sport/
- Published: 2026-10-28T13:19:59+05:30
- Author: RAMAN KUMAR SAHDEV

**Hoshiarpur’s sporting life is built on more than medals.** Colleges, football 
clubs and village tournaments provide places to practise, compete and build a lasting
interest in sport. The strongest account of that culture begins with named institutions
and documented events.

## Mahilpur’s educational roots

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College credits its founding principal, Harbhajan Singh,
with combining a commitment to education and football. His contribution helped establish
the institution’s sporting identity. The memorial football tournament bearing his
name began in 1962 and remains an important part of Mahilpur’s football history.

## Clubs and age-group competition

The Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club describes programmes for college, collegiate-
school and sub-junior players. Its tournament brings different levels of football
together. Published results also record Football Academy Baddon winning the under-
17 final against Football Academy Mahilpur in 2017. These examples show organised
opportunities for young players without promising automatic selection for professional
or national teams.

## Kabirpur’s village volleyball

A Punjabi Jagran report published on 25 October 2026 records Baba Manjh Sports Club’s
third two-day volleyball tournament in Kabirpur. Local teams competed, with Kabirpur
beating Kangmai in one of the reported matches. The event offers a specific example
of village sport bringing neighbours and players together.

## Public training infrastructure

An official Khelo India record documents the multipurpose hall project at Smt. Lajwanti
Sports Complex in Hoshiarpur, sanctioned in 2017. Historical reporting also describes
residential football training in Mahilpur. Families seeking admission should confirm
present age groups, coaching arrangements and accommodation directly with the relevant
institution.

## Help record the local sporting story

Hoshiarpur Today welcomes accounts from coaches, teachers, former players and tournament
organisers. A useful contribution includes the institution’s exact name, dates, 
results and photographs cleared for publication. Recording those details gives local
effort a lasting place in the district’s sporting archive.

## Sources

 * [SGGS Khalsa College: institutional history](https://sggskcm.org/about.html)
 * [Principal Harbhajan Singh Sporting Club](https://hssportingclub.com/about-us.html)
 * [The Tribune: 2017 tournament finals](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/harbhajan-singh-memorial-football-tournament-367866)
 * [Punjabi Jagran: Kabirpur volleyball tournament](https://www.punjabijagran.com/punjab/hoshiarpur-volleyball-tournament-organized-by-baba-manjh-sports-club-in-the-vill-9703194.html)
 * [Khelo India: Lajwanti Sports Complex project](https://mdsd.kheloindia.gov.in/node/465)
 * [The Tribune: Mahilpur football wing, 2018](https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/punjab/world-cup-spirit-grips-hoshiarpur-villages-too-605488/)