Tributes pour in as Hockey India express condolences at Legend Balbir Singh Snr.

The Hockey India has shown its concerns by sympathizing with the family of Hockey legend Balbir Singh Snr.who passed away on Monday morning in Mohali.

Late Balbir Singh, who is a triple Olympic champion and World Cup winning team manager, had been struggling with illness early this month after he was hospitalized.

Talk of the most decorated athlete in  India, Balbir Singh SNR has a rich history in winning Olympic medals during the years of 1948, 1952, and 1956 summer events. He then went on to coach  the Indian team as they clinched a bronze medal at the world cup in 197

Four years later, in 1975, Singh was also in charge of the Indian team who won gold in the 1975 World Cup. During 1952 Helsinki Olympic games Singh scored five goals in India’s 6-1 triumph over the Netherlands.

Under his leadership in the team,  India scored an impressive 38 goals and conceded not even a single goal as they claimed gold in Melbourne Olympics in 1956.

India Hockey President Moh’d Mushtaque Ahmad released a statement saying the Hockey India hasn’t only lost a legend but a light guiding the Indian sports.

Following the documentary of his post-independent achievements, Balbir Singh Snr remains the most respected and most celebrated fan of the Hockey game. It has always been there when the association calls for his expert advice. It is just a pity Hockey has lost his a great gem, and we all at Hockey India are sad about his demise.”

 
 
Written by: Olumide Akinnifesi