Key Points
- Harpreet Singh is a former fencing champion from Punjab, India.
- Despite accumulating over 50 state medals, financial constraints compelled Harpreet Singh to leave fencing at 22, eventually leading to his relocation to Australia.
- Public Transport Victoria campaign spotlights Mr. Singh's inspiring and diverse life beyond the steering wheel, showcasing his achievements through embroidered images on his vest.
In an interview with SBS Punjabi, Mr Singh reflects on his successful fencing career in Punjab, India while also expressing the challenges of limited opportunities post his athletic career, which compelled him to move to Australia for his livelihood.
"I was not valued as a player. I wanted to compete further, but I had to leave the game when I was 22, around the time other athletes would peak in their careers," Mr. Singh recounts, revealing the circumstances that led him to relocate to Australia for his livelihood.
Mr Singh started training with his sister from the age of eight and went on to compete in district, national and international competitions of fencing. Credit: Harpreet Singh
Young Fencer
Mr Singh shared that his sister, who also competed in fencing competitions, introduced him to the sport when he was eight.
“My sister trained me at home for two years for my first district competition in 1997, in which I won a silver medal," he says.
After this, he competed in junior state and national competitions and played two national games, two Asian Championships, and one Commonwealth championship.
He was also selected for a world camp in Czech Republic.
“I have more than 50 medals in state competitions, more than 30 in Nationals and have played three National games from which I've won six medals,” said Mr Singh.
Mr Singh went to the World Camp for Fencing in Czech Republic, where one fencer was selected from each country around the world.
When you work hard and in the end, you don’t get any opportunities, it breaks you. Fencing is expensive, and I couldn’t afford to play out of my pocket. I had to leave the game when I was 22.Mr Singh
Migrating to Australia
In 2009, Mr Singh migrated to Australia. For a year, Mr Singh took up fencing in Australia but wasn't able to continue.
“I had already spent so many years of my life and money on fencing, and coming here and starting again was also very difficult financially. In the end, I had to leave fencing and focus on my career completely,” shared Mr Singh
Mr Singh with his photo from the Public Transport Victoria campaign. Credit: Harpreet Singh
Public Transport Victoria Campaign
Mr Singh’s story came to light through Public Transport Victoria’s campaign ‘Transport Workers are People Too’, which calls out disrespectful and abusive behaviour towards transport workers.
The campaign showcases personalized vests for four transport workers, visually featuring their lives.
Mr Singh’s vest features embroidered images from his fencing career, maps from countries he had travelled to compete in, and the various titles he holds.
“The vests help showcase that we workers have a background, other than being a driver, and change is certainly happening,” said Mr Singh.
In a statement to SBS Punjabi, Graham Smith, Executive General Manager at 'We Are Kinetic' discussed the impact of Mr Singh's story and this campaign.
This campaign is a powerful reminder to our passengers to look past the uniform and see the person. Your words and actions can have a lasting impact, so please respect our drivers when you travel.Graham Smith
