Jalandhar News: Former Indian hockey captain and Padma Shri awardee Dhanraj Pillay on Saturday described Nitin Kohli as a new hope for the youth and society, saying that people like him, with grassroots experience, can bring change from sports to politics.
Pillay met Kohli, who is an industrialist, vice president of the All India Hockey Team, and central constituency in-charge, at his office in Jalandhar to discuss future strategies for sports, youth empowerment and social contribution.
He praised Kohli’s efforts for the upliftment of hockey in Punjab, particularly in Jalandhar, and said that while there is no shortage of sports talent in the state, there is a need for guidance and resources. He said leaders like Kohli could play a crucial role in providing that support.
“Kohli has not limited sports to mere competition but has embraced it as a means to bring change in the lives of young people. I see him as a leader who can use the experience gained from sports in policy-making,” Pillay said.
Pillay also said that under Kohli’s leadership, significant progress could be made in making Jalandhar a model city for sports. He appreciated Kohli’s role in promoting hockey in Punjab, under whose guidance many young players have reached the national and international levels.
Former international players Arjun Halappa and Jeevan Mahadev were also present at the meeting. They praised Kohli’s contributions so far and expressed hope that he would continue to play an active role in social service.
Pillay further said that it is important to connect sports with politics and social service so that sports become not just a profession but a medium for character building and social reform. He said that Nitin Kohli could represent this vision effectively.
