With the encouragement of his principal Mr. John Boyed of Berry School, Yuba City. At age 11, he started representing his school in the interschool league competitions as center half of his school team. He was yet in the sixth grade when he ‘started participating in the league competitions for the group under sixteen years. Mr. Sodhi was in the seventh grade when he came in contact with his real mentor and coach Mr. Harbhjan Singh Gill to attain the skill and artistry of the soccer game. Next year, this budding and upcoming soccer player started representing his school and county team in the junior as well as senior soccer league competitions. But by then he had shifted his position from center half to center forward to show his magic in the goal scoring. By this time Jaspal has already participated in all the major tournaments of the area and has earned the distinction of being the top scorer and the architect of most of the victories for his team.
Mr. Gill is the son of a modest agricultural family owning a farm of 26 acres in Yuba City.
Jaspal Gill is a gentle, shy, and reserved young boy, still far away from the evils of the present day society. The game of soccer should find a top class player in Jaspal Gill one day.
Article extracted from this publication >> May 29, 1987
