{
  "id": 3909208,
  "title": "Gagandeep follows in father Aphthar's footsteps for Junior Asia Cup",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/gagandeep-follows-in-father-aphthars-footsteps-for-junior-asia-cup",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T06:22:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/hockey/2026/08/1520600/gagandeep-follows-father-aphthars-footsteps-junior-asia-cup"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gagandeep Singh, the 19-year-old midfielder for Malaysia's Under-20 Junior Asia Cup hockey team, is following in the footsteps of his father, former Olympian Aphthar Singh. Named for the tournament in Moqi, China, from September 4-13, Gagandeep hopes to emulate his father's achievements, including 120 matches played for Malaysia and participation in the 1993 Junior World Cup and the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. The Malaysian team, drawn into Group B alongside Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, and Kazakhstan, aims to reach the semi-finals, with the top six teams qualifying for the 2027 Junior World Cup. Gagandeep expressed gratitude to Malaysia's national junior coach, Nor Saiful Zaini, for his confidence in him.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Former national player and coach Sarjit Singh was a big inspiration to Gagandeep Singh in hockey.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}