Balbir Singh Sr.(1923- 2020) is a name that has a special place in the history of Indian sports. He is the legend of Indian hockey who painted the golden days of an Indian sports era.
Early Life
Balbir Singh Dosanjh very well known as Balbir Singh Sr. was the greatest hockey player the game has ever played. He was born on 31st December 1923 at Haripur Khalsa of British India. He completed his education from Devsamaj High School, DM College, Moga, and Sikh national college, Lahore.
In Image: Balbir Singh in his early days
On the field
It was the coach of Khalsa college, that first recognized the hockey skills in Balbir Singh. Taking advice from the coach Harbail Singh, Balbir joined Khalsa College, Amritsar. He was part of the Punjab team in major tournaments from 1948 to 1961. Also serving policemen in Punjab police, Singh also played for Punjab Police team.
Olympic Performances
Balbir Singh Sr. represented India in 3 Olympic tournaments. He has also won gold medals in all these Olympic tournaments.
1. London Olympics 1948:
His first appearance in the Olympics happened in 1948 against Argentina. It was India’s second match in the tournament. After that he played against Britain in the finals and scor3d 2 goals of the total 4 by India. Indian side won the gold medal.
2. Helsinki Olympics 1952:
Balbir Singh was the vice-captain of the Indian team in the 1952 Olympics at Helsinki. He was also the flag better of India in the opening ceremony. Singh scored an outstanding 5 goals in the final against the Netherlands in which India won the match for 6-1. His performance of scoring 5 goals in the Olympic final is still an unbeaten record. Singh also scored 9 goals out of 12 goals India did in the Helsinki Olympics.
3. Melbourne Olympics 1956
In Image: At Melbourne Olympics 1956
Singh’s third appearance in the Olympics was in the year 1956. He captained the Indian Indian side in 1956, Melbourne Olympics. Against the opening match against Afghanistan, he scored 5 goals and got injured in the match. He couldn’t play the next few matches. He resumed playing in the team from the semi-final and also played in the final. India won the final with 1-0 score and it was Balbir Singh’s third gold medal in Olympics.
Asian Games
Singh was part of the Indian hockey team which won a silver medal in the 1958 Tokyo Asian games.
Career as team manager and coach
After receiving from his outstanding career as a jockey player, Balbir Singh coached India for the 1971 world championship In which India won a bronze medal. He was also the Indian team manager when India won the world cup hockey in the year 1975.
Balbir Singh wrote down his life as a player and coach of the Indian team in his autobiography The golden Hatrick(1977) and through The golden Yardstick: In quest of hockey excellence(2008)
Balbir Singh as Coach
Honors and Achievements
Balbir Singh is the first sportsperson who win the prestigious award Padma Sri in the year 1957. He was also represented in the postal stamp of the Dominican Republic in 1958. Singh was the spokesperson who lit the Sacred flame of 1982 Asian games held at New Delhi. In the year 2015, the Indian government honored this legend with the highest award In the Indian field hockey, Major Dhyanchand lifetime achievement award.
Death
Balbir Singh Sr. left his legacy behind and left the world on 25th May 2020 at his residence in Chandigarh.
