Hyderabad: Legendary hockey player Balbir Singh Sr, a three-time Olympic gold medallist, breathed his last at around 6.30 am on Monday at a Chandigarh hospital. He was 95. He had been struggling with multiple age-related illnesses for the last two weeks. He was admitted at the hospital on May 8.
Regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of India, Balbir had been fighting a pulmonary illness over the last two years. It required him to be admitted to the intensive care unit multiple times.
When he played, hockey was an immensely popular sport in India. According to Balbir Singh Sr. it was the “darling sport” of the nation.
His emergence after the retirement of hockey's crème de la crème, Dhyan Chand, poured a fresh air of hope in Indian hockey. In the post Dhyan Chand era, he dazzled on the hockey field like no other. He was well known for his sense of fair play. His indomitable spirit was a symbol of his game. He was said to be the fittest in the team and most innovative on the field. His silky skills left opponents with no option but to watch him scoring goals in awe. He was unstoppable. People who saw him play would tell better about his game reading ability and sweet timing in placing the ball. He developed an astonishing ball controlling ability and hardly lost control over the ball.
An excellent athlete himself, Balbir Singh Sr. had huge respect for sportspersons of other disciplines. He would often talk about athletes of other sports with a touch of respect, but never talked about his own skills and role in India's Olympic gold wins. He achieved so much in his life yet lived a grounded life. It was his modesty to not speak of his own feats.
As he left the materialistic world for cosmic world, we remember the legendary career of the excellent hockey player. Let's look at the legacy he left behind.
Inspired by Dhyan Chand
Born on 10 October 1924 in Punjab's Jalandhar district, Balbir Singh Sr. took up hockey after watching Dhyan Chand and Co. clinching gold in three consecutive Olympics. He was just 13 when Dhyan Chand won the Berlin 1936 gold. It was former India coach Harbail Singh who spotted the talented teenager and took him under his wing and helped him polish skills. The rest, as they say, is history.
Won independent India's 1st hockey gold in Olympics
Balbir Singh Sr. won his first gold in the 1948 London Olympics, India's first after independence. He scored a brace and defeated Great Britain 4-0 in the final. This was India's fourth hockey gold in four Olympics. But he also had to cope with the harsh treatment meted out to him at the London Olympics. He was dropped twice from the team despite scoring six goals against Argentina, including a hat-trick, in his debut match of the Olympics.
Guinness World Record holder
In 1952 Helsinki, Balbir Sr. was appointed vice-captain of the Indian team. He scored a hat-trick against Great Britain in the semifinal and followed it up with five goals in the summit clash against the Netherlands. India won 6-1 and Balbir Sr won his second Olympic gold.
With this fantastic performance in the final, he scripted history setting a new Olympic record for most goals scored by an individual in men's hockey final. His world record remains intact till date.
Hat-trick of Olympic gold
In the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, Balbir Sr was promoted as captain of the Indian team. He was also chosen as the flag bearer of the Indian contingent.
This was the first time, erstwhile giants of field hockey India and Pakistan met each other in the Olympic final. India defeated Pakistan 1-0, thanks to the goal scored by Randhir Singh Gentle. Balbir Singh Sr. completed a hat-trick of winning hockey Olympic gold. Upon their arrival in India, the team was given gala reception by Indian politicians.
Manager of India's World Cup winning team
In 1975 Hockey World Cup, Balbir Sr. was appointed the manager of the gold medal winning Indian team. It must be noted that it was India's only gold in the World Cup. He had also coached India that won bronze in 1971 World Cup.
Awards and plaudits
After his retirement from the sport, he was conferred with several awards. In 1957, he received the first Padma Shri award in the sports category. In 2006, the Punjab government bestowed the 'Best Sikh Hockey Player' award on him. In 2015, he was awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award.
In his illustrious playing career that spanned from 1947 to 1958, Balbir Singh Sr. played 61 matches for India and scored whopping 246 goals. He is not among us today, but he will be always remembered for his dedication towards hockey, the country and dazzling goal-scoring skills.
