Advertisement

Updated May 25th, 2020 at 12:37 IST

Akshay Kumar condoles hockey legend Balbir Singh's demise; recalls 'amazing personality'

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar took to Twitter on Monday and expressed his grief and conveyed condolences on the death of legendary hockey player Balbir Singh Sr.

Reported by: Urvashi Kandpal
Akshay Kumar
| Image:self
Advertisement

'Khiladi of Bollywood' Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to express his condolences on the death of Padmashri hockey legend Balbir Singh on Monday at the age of 96. The veteran sportsman succumbed to cardiac failure and the news of his demise was announced by his grandson through social media on Monday. Akshay Kumar shared a picture of himself from one of his meetings with the late hockey player and expressed grief over his demise.

"Saddened to hear about the demise of hockey legend #BalbirSingh ji. Have had the good fortune of meeting him in the past, such an amazing personality," he said in a tweet. "My heartfelt condolences to his family," his tweet further said.

Read | David Warner shows off his love for Bollywood by grooving to Akshay Kumar's 'Bala'; watch

Balbir Singh was a three-time Olympic gold medal-winning Hockey legend. He played a key role in India's Olympic victories in London (1948), as a vice-captain in Helsinki (1952) and as the captain in Melbourne (1956). In his illustrious playing career from 1947-1958, Balbir won 61 international caps and scored a whopping 246 goals. He was also the manager of the 1975 World Cup-winning team.

One of the country's most accomplished athletes, Singh 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.

Read | Former India hockey player and Olympic bronze medalist Balbir Singh Kullar dies

He had scored five goals in India's 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the gold medal match of the 1952 Helsinki Games. He was conferred with the Padma Shri in 1957. That was the first time an athlete was conferred the prestigious civilian honour. Considered at par with Major Dhyan Chand in skills, Singh was among independent India's biggest hockey stars. Singh and Dhyan Chand never played together but are regarded as the jewels of Indian hockey, who inspired an entire generation of hockey players.

Read | Hockey legend Balbir Sr in semi-comatose condition: grandson

Balbir Singh Sr, one of India's greatest hockey players who won three Olympic gold medals in a stellar career, died at a hospital in Chandigarh on Monday after battling multiple health issues for over two weeks. The legendary centre-forward was 96 and is survived by his daughter Sushbir and three sons Kanwalbir, Karanbir, and Gurbir. His sons are settled in Canada and he used to live here with his daughter and grandson Kabir.

(with PTI inputs)

Read | Triple Olympic gold-winning hockey icon Balbir Singh Sr passes away

Advertisement

Published May 25th, 2020 at 12:37 IST

Your Voice. Now Direct.

Send us your views, we’ll publish them. This section is moderated.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending Quicks

Nandre Burger was the peak of the bowlers as his four wicket haul rattled the Indian batting lineup
a few seconds ago
Besham, Shangla
10 minutes ago
Arvind Kejriwal
12 minutes ago
Greater Noida Student Commits Suicide
17 minutes ago
Shahjahan Sheikh in CBI Custody: First Visual Emerges | WATCH
19 minutes ago
Mumbai: Fire Breaks Out at Multi-Storey Building In Malad
22 minutes ago
Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project
23 minutes ago
M Jagadesh Kumar
26 minutes ago
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Whatsapp logo