Greatest Indian hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr dies at 96

TIL Desk Sports/ One of India’s greatest hockey players, Balbir Singh Sr, died at a hospital in Chandigarh on Monday after battling multiple health issues for over the last fortnight. The legend was 96 and is survived by his daughter Sushbir and three sons Kanwalbir, Karanbir, and Gurbir.

“He died at around 6:30 this morning,” Abhijit Singh, Director Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where he was admitted since May 8, said. His maternal grandson Kabir later sent out a message stating, “Nanaji passed away this morning.”

The three-time Olympic gold medallist was in a semi-comatose state since May 18 and had developed a blood clot in his brain after being first admitted to the hospital for bronchial pneumonia with high fever. He was hospitalised after experiencing high fever and suffered three cardiac arrests during the course of his treatment.