Legendary hockey player Balbir Singh leaves behind a rich legacy: Narinder Batra

NEW DELHI: Narinder Batra, President of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and member of International Olympic Committee (IOC), has paid tributes to legendary hockey player Balbir Singh Senior.

"It is with an overwhelming sense of sadness that I condole the death of hockey legend Balbir Singh Dosanjh, a three-time Olympic Games gold medal winner with the Indian team. It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I will remember the way he played the game, shared his knowledge when coaching teams and conducted himself off the pitch," Batra said in a statement.

"A measure of a player's greatness is not just in the skill he exhibits on the hockey pitch but also in the fondness and affection with which he is remembered across nations many years after he last graced the game. Balbir Singh Dosanjh's life is ample testimony to his greatness," said Batra, who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

"I will cherish the simplicity, humility and pride that he brought to bear in his own charming way. His ready wit and willingness to share his vast knowledge were stand out features. Indeed, Balbir Singh ji leaves behind a rich legacy that cuts across all sport and physical boundaries. My prayers are with his family and the entire sporting community that mourns his passing," he added. IANS

FACTBOX

-Singh did not find a place in India's star-studded playing XI at the beginning of 1948 Olympics. He had to wait till the Argentina match for his turn in London. Despite being irregular in the starting XI in the tournament, Singh was given a go in the final against Great Britain and he repaid the faith shown on him by scoring a brace to help India win 4-0.

- Four years later, in the Helsinki Olympics, He was appointed as the vice-captain. After scoring a hat-trick in the semi-final against Great Britain, he bettered his performance in the final of Olympics in 1952 by netting five goals in India's 6-1 win over the Netherlands. The record for most goals in an Olympic final still stands with Singh. Of India's 13 goals at the Helsinki Olympics, Balbir scored nine.

- In the 1956 Olympics, Balbir was the flag-bearer for India and also the captain of India's hockey team. They beat Pakistan 1-0 in the finals to claim a hat-trick of gold medals at the Olympics.

- Singh, who scored 246 goals in his 61 appearances for India, was also the manager of the Indian team that won gold in 1975 Hockey World Cup.

- He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1957. That was the first time an athlete was conferred the prestigious civilian honour.

-He was given the honour of lighting the torch at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi.

-In 1977, Balbir Singh Sr. published his autobiography: 'The Gold Hat Trick: My Hockey Days'. In 2008, he published a second book, 'The Golden Yardstick: In Quest of Hockey Excellence'.

-He was conferred with the Major Dhyan Chand Life Time Achievement Award by Hockey India in 2014.