Condolences Pour In As Hockey Legend Balbir Singh Passes Away At 95

Veteran hockey player Balbir Singh Dosanjh passed away at the age of 95 at a hospital in Chandigarh, reports Times of India. The legendary player had started his career as a goalkeeper during his school days. He initially played as a defender before becoming one of the best center forwards in India.

In the early 1940s, Singh played for Sikh National College, Lahore before making the switch to Khalsa College, Amritsar in 1942. Under his captaincy, the Panjab University team had won three All India Inter-university titles in 1943, 1944 and 1945.

He was a member of the last team of undivided Punjab that won the national championships of 1947 before partition. After the partition he captained the Punjab Police team during 1941–1961 and won six national titles for them.

The triple Olympic gold medallist won 61 international caps and scored a whopping 246 goals during the span of his career, reports Hindustan Times. Apart from being the oldest surviving Olympic medallist from India, he was the first sports personality to be honored with the Padma Shri award. Post his playing days, Singh became the chief coach-manager of the Indian team.

The iconic player was admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia earlier this month. He suffered multiple cardiac arrests during his time in the hospital and was put on a ventilator. He breathed his last at the Mohali hospital in the wee hours on May 25, reports the Indian Express. 

Several sports personalities and celebrities took to social media to share their heartfelt condolences on his death. The President and Prime Minister of India also expressed their sorrow over losing such a great sportsman.

His fans also mourned his demise and shared the wonderful performances that the player will be remembered by.

The hockey legend’s world record for most goals scored by an individual in the final of the men’s hockey Olympics remains unbeaten to date. Our prayers are with his family during this difficult time. You will be missed, sir!