Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal mourned the death of iconic hockey player Balbir Singh Sr, who passed away after battling multiple issues in Chandigarh on Monday.
As per reports, the 95-year-old man had been in a semi-comatose state since May 18 and had developed a blood clot in his brain after being admitted to Fortis Hospital at Mohali in Haryana.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
He was admitted to the hospital after he had developed bronchial pneumonia with high fever.
The three-time Olympic gold medal winner , who passed away at 6:30 am on Sunday, is survived by his daughter Sushbir and three sons Kanwalbir, Karanbir, Gurbir.
“Saddened to learn about the passing away of hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr,” Sonowal tweeted.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
“Three-time Olympic gold-winner, his enormous contribution to the game will be remembered forever. My heartfelt condolences to his family and countless admirers,” he added.
One of the country’s greatest athletes, Balbir Singh Sr was the only Indian among 16 legends chosen by the International Olympic Committee across modern Olympic history.
His world record for most goals scored by an individual in the men’s hockey final of the Olympics still remains unbeaten.
Having made his national debut in 1947, Singh played a key role in India’s win in the 1948 London Olympics and also in the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
He was also the chief coach of the Indian team for the 1975 Men’s Hockey World Cup which India won and the 1971 Men’s Hockey World Cup where the country bagged a bronze medal.