Role models like him come rare: Sporting fraternity mourns death of hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr

India’s legendary hockey participant and a three-time Olympics gold medallist Balbir Singh Sr handed away on Monday at Chandigarh after battling a number of well being points for over two weeks. Tributes poured in from totally different quarters for the hockey participant who had performed main roles in India’s gold medal-winning run within the 1948 London Olympics, 1952 Helsinki Olympics and 1956 Melbourne Olympics.

PICTURES: Balbir Singh Sr passes away: A glance again at historic profession of Hockey legend

“Saddened to hear of the demise of one of India’s most celebrated Olympians, Balbir Singh Sr. Athletes and role models such as him come very rarely, and it was an honour to know him, and I hope his example will continue to inspire athletes from around the world!” wrote Abhinav Bindra on twitter.

 

Saddened to listen to of the demise of one in all India’s most celebrated Olympians, Balbir Singh Sr. Athletes and function fashions reminiscent of him come very hardly ever, and it was an honour to know him, and I hope his instance will proceed to encourage athletes from around the globe!

— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 25, 2020

“Today, we have not only lost our greatest hockey legend but we have also lost ‘our guiding light’. While his achievements in the post-independent era have been well-documented, Balbir Sr remained the greatest fan of the sport and was always there when we needed his advice. Hockey has lost its brightest star and everyone at Hockey India is pained by this news,” stated Mohd Mushtaque Ahmad, President, Hockey India.

Hockey India’s Secretary General Rajinder Singh too expressed his condolence. “Balbir Sr’s achievements in hockey cannot be emulated. It is difficult to mention him in past-tense because for us he was always there.”

In a tweet Shastri stated, “#BalBirSingh Ji- A True Giant and a half in his field. Hockey legend out and out. Condolences.”

 

#BalBirSingh ji- A True Giant and a half in his discipline. Hockey legend out and out. Condolences 🙏 #BalbirSinghSenior pic.twitter.com/4xClWGmhkT

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 25, 2020

Former skipper of the Indian hockey workforce, Viren Rasquinha additionally took to Twitter to condole the demise of Balbir Singh.

“Very sad to hear of the demise of legendary Olympian Balbir Singh Sr, 3 time Olympic gold medallist. This was from my last meeting with him in Delhi. He was always smiling, so mentally alert, and such a thorough gentleman. What a fine role model,” Viren Rasquinha tweeted.

 

Very unhappy to listen to of the demise of legendary Olympian Balbir Singh Sr, three time Olympic gold medallist. This was from my final assembly with him at Delhi. He was at all times smiling, so mentally alert and such an intensive gentleman. What a superb function mannequin 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/Sn1wlgdEss

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) May 25, 2020

The veteran hockey participant had suffered a cardiac arrest on May 12 and after that, he suffered two extra cardiac arrests through the course of his admission within the hospital.

“Balbir Singh passed away this morning,” his grandson Kabir stated in an announcement on Monday.

Balbir Singh was a three-time Olympic gold champion. He performed a key function in India’s Olympic victories in London (1948), as a vice-captain in Helsinki (1952) and because the captain in Melbourne (1956).

In his illustrious enjoying profession from 1947-1958, Balbir Sr. gained 61 worldwide caps and scored a whopping 246 objectives. He was additionally the supervisor of the 1975 World Cup-winning workforce.

(With company inputs)