Local star Jazzy B pays tribute, family refuses to cremate body till accused arrested
Link News Desk
The cold-blooded killing ofSandeep Singh Sandhu, one of the biggest Kabaddi stars, has shocked the sporting community around the world.
Two days after Sandeep also known as Sandeep Nangal Ambian (38) was shot dead during a tournament, his family and supporters refused to cremate his mortal remains until the accused are arrested. His family, a large number of Kabaddi players, Kabaddi world officials and farmer unions on Wednesday jointly staged a massive dharna at the Nakodar civil hospital, where the body of the player is lying in the mortuary.
The protest was called off later, only after police assured them that they would nab the culprits soon.Meanwhile, Nakodar Deputy Superintendent of police, Lakhwinder Singh, said that special teams are raiding various places.
This incident has “killed the spirit” of the sport, some of the protestors told The Indian Express. Citing a possible “conspiracy”, they demanded a probe and urged the police to look into what may have led up to Sandhu’s death. They also called for the newly-formed AAP government in the state to acknowledge the matter, the Indian Express reported.
Sandeep was a popular on the global kabaddi circuit, competing in leagues in the United Kingdom, United States, New Zealand, Australia, Canada besides the Indian national team.
Several Kabaddi federations have suspended tournaments for the coming week.
Sandhu was among the world’s top five kabaddi players and the head of the ‘Major Kabaddi League Federation’, which organises tournaments both in Punjab and abroad. He had previously represented the UK team as captain in the various Kabaddi World Cup tournaments organised by the Punjab government. He also ran a team called the Shahkot Lions.
Sandeep was shot dead by four unidentified assailants at a tournament at Jalandhar, Punjab on Monday, according to multiple media reports. He was only 40.
The incident took place between 6.15 to 6.30 PM and the Mallian Khurd village, according to the Indian Express. Sandeep, who had settled in England with his family, was in his hometown for a kabaddi tournament. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Sandeep was targeted during a kabaddi tournament at the village. Some friends shifted Sandeep to a hospital, where he was declared dead by doctors. He was shot in the head several times.
In a video of the incident that has gone viral, assailants are seen standing amidst trees shooting someone. At least seven to eight shots are fired near an open arena where a match was on. As the assailants opened fire, the tournament was halted midway and people ran for cover. The suspects fled the scene thereafter.
Sandeep, who was president of several tournaments, was visiting India to host kabaddi events and attend some weddings.
Sandeep was also one of the key organisers of the langar hosted by state’s sportspersons for farmers at Singhu on the Delhi border. He had especially flown from England to participate in the farmers’ agitation.
Nakodar police station Station House Officer said Sandeep was shot during a tournament by four unidentified persons. The police were trying to arrest the suspects, he added.
This unfortunate incident has left everyone in shock and a state of proud grief. Social media is packed with posts of condolences. Jazzy B, popular Punjabi Singer, shared a series of pictures of the late kabaddi player Sandeep Singh and wrote – “Heart broken hearing about Sandeep 22 who ever did this! They are cowards! Just saw him few weeks in his pind at tournament and met his kids ! Can’t belive he’s gone who ever did this they deserve to b punished!”
Sandeep Singh Sandhu was among the biggest players of Kabbadi in the world. Debayan Sen, a writer for ESPN, penned down his memories of Sandeep from the inaugural World Kabaddi League. He wrote, Sandeep was both statistically and impact-wise the best player of a long, punishing season. He was perhaps the only player I recall who never got substituted, playing virtually every game.”
“Above everything, Sandeep provided a pure delight in a sport that was meant to be as much about courage and determination, as strength, fitness, and endurance. As he told Anjum at the end of the presentation after the final, his message to his team even when they trailed was simply that they would fight till the very end, and not give up. That was the essence of his game, and what made the first season of that league so much fun to be around,” Sen wrote.
