Women hockey ex-capt from Punjab dies in road mishap

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 21

Indian women’s hockey team ex-captain Shashi Bala (46) was among four killed in a road accident near Kahma village, Nawanshahr, today.

The accident occurred at around 11 am when two Tata Aces rammed into her Alto car near Kahma village, killing Bala and her son Agrim Thakur (15) and her driver Attar Singh (35) on the spot. Bala’s daughter Varnika (20) was also critically injured in the accident and was admitted to a local hospital. The other deceased was Jiwan Lal (16), who was travelling in one of Tata Aces.

The driver of a Tata Ace, Santokh Singh and another occupant Lovepreet were also injured and undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Nawanshahr. Occupants of other Tata Ace are safe.

An ace hockey player and a coach with the Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, since 2005, Shashi Bala along with her two children was on her way to Chandigarh for her daughter’s admission to a civil services preparatory course.

Nawanshahr DSP Kulbhushan Singh said the accident occurred because the driver of Tata Ace lost his control over the vehicle due to over speeding.

Shashi Bala, born in Barnala in 1969, had an illustrious career for over a span of 25 years. She represented Punjab from 1980 to 1986. She also represented India in the 1990 Asian Games held in China. She was captain of the Indian team for the Hockey World Cup pre-qualifier tournament held at West Indies in 1998. She also represented Indian Railways from 1987 to 2005. She was also a selector for Hockey Punjab since 2010.

Former men’s hockey team captain and president of Hockey Punjab Pargat Singh said she was instrumental in scouting for fresh talent. “She was a wonderful player. Her death is a loss to the hockey fraternity,” said the MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment.