Chandigarh: Legendary hockey player Balbir Singh Senior Balbir Singh Sr died at a private hospital here on Monday after battling multiple health issues for over two weeks.
The legend was 95 and is survived by his daughter Sushbir and three sons Kanwalbir, Karanbir, and Gurbir.
"He died at around 6:30 this morning," Abhijit Singh, Director Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where he was admitted since May 8, told PTI.
His maternal grandson Kabir later sent out a message stating, "Nanaji passed away this morning."
The three-time Olympic gold medallist was in a semi-comatose state since May 18 and had developed a blood clot in his brain after being first admitted to the hospital for bronchial pneumonia with high fever.
He was hospitalised after experiencing high fever and suffered three cardiac arrests during the course of his treatment.
- One of the country's most accomplished athletes, the iconic centre-forward was the only Indian among 16 legends chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history.
- His world record for most goals scored by an individual in the men's hockey final of the Olympics still remains unbeaten.
- He had scored five goals in India's 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the gold medal match of the 1952 Helsinki Games. He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1957.
- Balbir Sr's three Olympic gold medals came in London (1948), Helsinki (1952) as vice-captain, and Melbourne (1956) as captain.
- He was also the manager of India's only World Cup-winning side in 1975.
It was the fourth time in the past two years that the former captain and coach was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
In January last year, Balbir Sr spent more than three months in hospital because of bronchial pneumonia.
Profile of Balbir Singh Sr
Personal Life
- Date of Birth: 10.10.1924
- Birth Place: Haripur Khalsa, Punjab
- Hometown: Jalandar, Punjab
- Father: Dalip Singh Dosanjh (Freedom Fighter)
- Wife: Sushil
- Children: Daughter - Sushbir, Sons - Kanwalbir, Karanbir, Gurbir
Sports Career
- International Debut: In the 1948 London Summer Olympics against Argentina
- Jersey Number: #13 (India)
- Team(s) Punjab University (National), Punjab Police (National), Punjab State (National), India (International)
- Coach/Mentor: Harbail Singh
- Nature on field: Aggressive
- Position: Centre-forwardIndian Hockey Team
- Career Turning Point: In the 1948 London Summer Olympics, when he scored 6 goals (including a hattrick) against Argentina.
Awards & Achievements
- Member of 3 times Olympic Gold Medal winning teams (1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympic Games).
- Member of 2 times Silver Medal winning teams at the Asian Games (1958 & 1962).
- Olympic record for most goals scored in men's hockey final by an individual.
- First sports person to be honoured with the Padma Shri Award (1957).
- In 1958, he along with Gurdev Singh was featured on a stamp issued by the Dominican Republic to commemorate the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
- In 1982, he lit the Sacred Flame at the New Delhi Asian Games.Indian Hockey Team members getting a grand welcome
- In 1982, the Patriot newspaper adjudged him the Indian Sportsperson of the Century.
- In 2006, he was named the Best Sikh Hockey Player.
- In 2015, Hockey India conferred him with the Major Dhyan Chand Life time Achievement
