Chandigarh: When Hockey India ended his 41 years waiting for the Olympic medal, this achievement had fulfilled the dream of three gold medalists of the Balbir Olympics Singh Sr, even though the legend was no longer, his grandson said Kabir.
Before his death on May 25, 2020, Balbir Singh Sr wanted to see the Indian team made the podium finished at the Olympics.
“If Balbir Ji is there today, he won’t miss a second of action.
He dreamed of seeing a team on the podium and now fulfilled.
It really takes time but this victory is special.
All countries, with us, are waiting,” he said.
“The team must have reached the top but there is even further.
We are still waiting for a gold medal.
There is no doubt that this victory is very special for all.
This is a good start to us, we have to go far.
If Balbir Ji lives today, he will be Very happy, “he added.
The Indian men’s hockey team won their last gold medal during the summer match in Moscow.
However, there was no semifinal because only six teams participated in the event.
Balbir Singh’s contribution to field hockey, especially for Indian independent, unmatched.
He was one of the most decorated athletes in Indian sports history with Olympic medals in 1948, 1952 and 1956 summer.
Defeating England 4-0 in their own backyard during the 1948 Olympic match final as an independent state was ‘the biggest moment’ Balbir SR.
The record for most goals scored in the Olympic men’s hockey final, when he hammered five goals in Indian 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in a gold medal match from the Helsinki 1952 game, standing for today.
Under his captain, India scored 38 goals and did not concede on the way to a gold medal at the Melbourne Olympics 1956.