Madhurima
CHANDIGARH: Phenomenal hockey player Balbir Singh Senior lost his life at a private hospital on Monday, May 25, as per his family. Singh was 96 and was known to be in a critical condition for over a time period of 15 days.
His grandson, Kabir in a statement announced, "Nanaji passed away this morning."
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The former sportsperson was in a "semi-comatose condition" and was seeking treatment in Fortis Mohali. May 8 was the day when he got hospitalised due to high fever and breathing difficulties, both symptoms of coronavirus. His COVID-19 test, however, turned out to be negative.
During January 2019, we underwent treatment for bronchial pneumonia and eventually got discharged from PGI, Chandigarh after being in the hospital for over 100 days.
Balbir represented India as he was a part of the hockey team that won gold during the 1948 London Olympics, Helsinki during 1952 and Melbourne in 1956.
He has an unbeatable record for the most solo goals scored during the matches of Olympic men's hockey final. Singh scored 5 goals which gave India a win over the Netherlands by 6-1 during the games in the year 1952. It was also the year when he set the record for the most goals.
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He also coached the Indian team for the 1975 men's World Cup as he was the head coach. India won that year as well as the 1971 men's World Cup where India earned the bronze medal. He had also been facilitated with the esteemed Padma Shri in the year 1957.
