Gurdev Singh Gill

Gurdev Singh Gill is a former Indian football player. He hails from Punjab. He was honoured with Arjuna Award, the highest sports award in India in the year 1978 for his achievements as a football player.

He is one of the three Punjabi football players to have received this prestigious award. He retired as a Commandant from Punjab Police in 2008. Settled now in Jalandhar and occasionally in Canada.

Club career Leaders Football Club, Jalandhar : 1970 to 1973 Punjab Police Football Club, Jalandhar : 1974 to 1990 East Bengal Football Club Calcutta : 1978

Early career Played for Rajput High School, Village Binjon, District. Hoshiarpur. Graduated from Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College, Mahilpur. Represented Indian Football team while studying at SGGS Khalsa College, Mahilpur.

Professional career Played for Leaders Football Club, Jalandhar : 1970 to 1973 Joined Punjab Police : 1974 Played for Punjab Police Football team : 1974 to 1990 Played for East Bengal Football Club, Calcutta : 1978 Coach Punjab Police Football team : 1990 to 2000 Coach Indian Police Football team at World police games, Nepal : 2001 (bronze medal) Santosh Trophy : 1970 Punjab won it Santosh Trophy held at Jalandhar : 1974 Punjab beat Bengal 6–0 in the finals (record still holds till today) Retired as Superintendent of Police, Punjab Police : 2008

International career Asia Cup : 1970 Asian Games Tehran, Iran : 1974 Asian Games Bangkok, Thailand : 1978 (Captain) Agha Khan Gold Cup, Indonesia : 1977 (hattrick against Bangladesh) Kings Cup, Seoul, South Korea (goal against South Korea, 45 yards) Meddreka Soccer, D'jakarta : 1976 World Police Games, Nepal : 2001 (Coach) : bronze medal Afghan Jashan Celebration tournament, Kabul : 1975 Pre-olympics in Rangoon, Burma : 1972 President Gold Cup, Singapore : 1976

Life outside football He retired as a Commandant of Police from Punjab Police in 2008. Served as Sports Secretary of Punjab Police from 2000–2004. Coached Punjab Police Football team that won All India Police Games between 2000–2006. Member Punjab Football Association Selection Committee. Organises a big Football tournament at his village Kharar Achharwal, every year.

Honours Recipient of Arjuna Award : 1978 Recipient of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award : 1984 Recipient of President Police Medal for Meritorious Service : 2000 Footballer of the Millennium by Delhi Sports Journalists' Association : 2000