Balbir Singh Sr was a single of the most decorated hockey players in the background of the sport.© PTI
Hockey icon Balbir Singh Senior, who died at ninety six just after battling various health and fitness difficulties, was on Monday cremated in Chandigarh with whole state honours, with Punjab Sports activities Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi declaring that the Mohali stadium will be named just after the legendary player. The three-time Olympic gold medallist’s human body was consigned to flames at an electric crematorium with his maternal grandson Kabir accomplishing the last rites in the presence of Sikh monks. The legendary middle-forward is survived by his daughter Sushbir and three sons — Kanwalbir, Karanbir, and Gurbir.
His sons are settled in Canada and he lived here with his daughter Sushbir and grandson Kabir. Sushbir, along with close kin, was current at the funeral.
Sodhi, who was also current at the funeral, reported that Singh’s demise was a significant blow not just for the sporting world, but also for the nation as a whole. He reported the Mohali hockey stadium will be named just after Singh. Former Indian hockey crew captain Pargat Singh was also current.
Senior officers of Punjab govt and Chandigarh administration laid wreaths on Singh’s human body.
A police contingent fired three-volley shots as a mark of respect to the departed soul. Singh’s human body was earlier brought from the Fortis healthcare facility at Mohali to his residence at Sector 36 from the place it was taken to the crematorium in a bedecked vehicle.
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