Chandigarh : Hockey legend Balbir Singh-Senior died in a private hospital Mohali on monday morning.He was 96.
Balbir Singh Sr was suffering from pulmonary illness over the last two years and was admitted to a private hospital in Mohali.His condition was critical for nearly a fortnight. He was in a semi-comatose state since May 18
He was hospitalised on May 8 with high fever and breathing trouble. His COVID-19 test came negative.
Balbir Singh-Senior was part of the Indian teams that won gold at the 1948 London Olympics, Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956.
He was the head coach of the Indian team for the 1975 men’s World Cup, which India won and the 1971 men’s World Cup, where India earned a bronze medal. He was also conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri in 1957.
Balbir Sr was among the few legends chosen by International Olympic Committee across the modern Olympic history. His world record in the men’s hockey final of the Olympics for most goals by an individual still remains unbeaten. In 1952 Helsinki Games, Singh had scored five goals in India’s 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the gold medal match.
Hockey India extended its condolences in a tweet, “Hockey India extends its condolences to fans, friends and family of the 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Padma Shri Awardee, Balbir Singh Sr.”
