The entire nations mourns the loss of the great Indian Hockey player Balbir Singh Senior, who passed away at the age of 95 in Mohali today.
Balbir Singh Senior was widely known to be a three times gold medalist . Balbir was one of the key pillars of the Indian hockey team and was spearheading the team when it won gold at the 1948, 1952 and 1956 Olympics. It was during the 1952 Helsinki Games that he made history by scoring five goals in India’s 6-1 win against Netherlands in the final match. Balbir Singh’s record number of goals in a single hockey match in the Olympics remains unbroken till date.
But after 1956, he did not participate in another Olympics event but was a part of the Indian team when hockey had been introduced at the Asian games in 1958. He was at the helm of affairs when the Indian team brought back home the prestigious World Cup in 1975. His contributions to the world of Indian hockey will continue to be cherished for years to come.
He was awarded with the prestigious Padmashree Award in 1957. His loss has left an irreparable void in the world of Indian hockey.
Olympic on Youtube shared Balbir Singh relives memory of the London 1948 Olympics.
