Sandeep Nangal Ambian
{{Short description|Indian-British kabaddi player (c. 1983–2022)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name =
| image = Sandeep Nangal Ambian.jpg
| nationality = Indian-British
| birth_date = {{circa}} 1983
| birth_place = Nangal Ambian Khurd, Shahkot, Punjab, India
| death_date = 14 March 2022 (aged 38)
| death_place = Mallian Khurd, Punjab, India
| height = 6 ft 1 in
| weight = 105 kg
| country = India
| ethnicity =
| Tribe =
| Religion =
| sport = kabaddi
| position = stopper
| event =
| league = major league kabaddi
| club = Shahkot Lions
| team = India national kabaddi team
}}
Sandeep Singh Sandhu also popularly known as Sandeep Nangal Ambian or Gladiator ({{circa}} 1983 – 14 March 2022) was a British-Indian kabaddi player who played in the position of a stopper. He had represented both India and the United Kingdom in international kabaddi matches. He also captained both India and UK kabaddi teams. He settled in West Brom, UK in around 2007.{{Cite news |date=16 March 2022 |title=Tributes to West Bromwich kabaddi player killed in India |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-birmingham-60772601 |access-date=18 March 2022}} Sandeep was also well known for his efforts to eradicate drug menace and the issue of drug intake among youth through sports.{{Cite web |date=18 March 2022 |title='International Kabaddi player wanted to free game from drugs, silenced' |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/jalandhar/international-kabaddi-player-wanted-to-free-game-from-drugs-silenced-7825389/ |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}
He had started his career playing state-level matches and was known as 'Gladiator'
Biography
He hailed from Nangal Ambian village in Shahkot and he apparently received the stage name Nangal Ambian indicating the place of his birth.{{Cite web |agency=TNN|date=15 March 2022 |title=Punjab kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal shot dead at a tournament {{!}} India News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/punjab-kabaddi-player-shot-dead-at-a-tournament/articleshow/90210812.cms |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=The Times of India |language=en}}
Career
He started his playing career by playing state level matches before becoming a pro. He had competed in various kabaddi leagues in United Kingdom, New Zealand, United States and Australia.
He captained the Singhs team in the inaugural edition of the World Kabaddi League in 2014 and under his captaincy, Singhs emerged as the champions after a hard fought battle by defeating favorites Khalsa Warriors 58-55 in an evenly poised contest that went down to the wire. He also won the player of the final award during the final of the 2014 World Kabaddi League tournament for his all-round display. In 2016 season Sandeep played for Bhagat Singh Abbotsford Kabaddi Club as part of a legendary stop line that went on to win a record of eight out of ten tournaments in BC.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=Sandeep Nangal Ambian shot dead: Memories of an iconic kabaddi player |url=https://www.espn.com/kabaddi/story/_/id/33506937/sandeep-singh-sandhu-nangal-ambian-shot-dead-memories-iconic-kabaddi-player |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
He served as the President of the Major League Kabaddi Federation as well as the President of the Shahkot Lions Kabaddi Cup.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=Kabaddi star Sandeep Nangal shot dead, know all about international player HERE |url=https://zeenews.india.com/other-sports/kabaddi-star-sandeep-nangal-shot-dead-know-all-about-international-player-here-2445370.html |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=Zee News |language=en}}
He was also one of the prominent key organisers of the langar hosted by the state's sportspersons for farmers at Singhu border in New Delhi. In 2021, he visited New Delhi to participate in the farmers' agitation.
Death
He was assassinated on 14 March 2022 in Mallian Khurd, outside Jalalandar, in Punjab by unidentified gunmen when he was on a family trip from UK to his native country India to watch a kabaddi tournament at his hometown.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=On cam: Sandeep Nangal, iconic Kabaddi player from Punjab, shot dead |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/news/on-cam-sandeep-nangal-iconic-kabaddi-player-from-punjab-shot-dead-101647325619406.html |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} He was reportedly shot dead at around evening 6pm while watching a local friendly kabaddi match as part of the Kabaddi Cup.{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=India com Sports |title=Kabaddi Player Sandeep Nangal Ambian Shot Dead {{!}} Kabaddi News {{!}} Sandeep Nangal Dead {{!}} Sandeep Nangal Kabaddi Player {{!}} Sandeep Nangal Shot Dead |url=https://www.india.com/sports/kabaddi-player-sandeep-nangal-ambian-shot-dead-5286806/ |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=www.india.com |language=en}} However, the Indian Express claims that he was supposed to participate in a match just moments prior to his death and the shooting happened when Sandeep came out of the tournament site.{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian shot dead during match in Jalandhar |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/kabaddi-player-sandeep-nangal-ambian-shot-dead-in-jalandhar-7819928/ |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} It was revealed that around 20 rounds of bullets were fired on his head and chest.{{Cite web |title=Kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian shot dead in Jalandhar, around 20 rounds fired |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-kabaddi-player-sandeep-nangal-ambian-shot-dead-in-jalandhar-around-20-rounds-fired-2939893 |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=DNA India |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sandeep Nangal death: Lesser known facts, achievements of the late Kabaddi player |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-sandeep-nangal-death-lesser-known-facts-achievements-of-late-kabaddi-player-killed-in-jalandhar-2939971 |access-date=18 March 2022 |website=DNA India |language=en}}
It is believed that his murder might be linked with a possible dispute between him and the club members ever since he took charge as President of Major League Kabaddi Federation. However, few others believe he was murdered by a drug mafia in order to silence and prevent him from keeping the sport clean from drugs or could be dispute with any gangsters group
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nangal Ambian, Sandeep}}
Category:Year of birth missing
Category:Indian male kabaddi players
Category:Kabaddi players from Punjab, India