Mohali hockey stadium to be named after Balbir Singh (Sr)

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Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 24

The Punjab Sports Department has decided to rename the Sector 63-based international hockey stadium after the late three-time Olympic gold medallist and Padma Shri Balbir Singh (Senior).

The formal announcement will be made during a tribute ceremony on his death anniversary at the stadium tomorrow.

According to the official spokesperson for the Sports Department, Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi gave his nod regarding it.

“It may be recalled that Balbir Singh Senior played an important role in the Indian hockey team to be the three-time Olympic champion as no one has been able to break his Olympic final record, till date. He scored five goals in India’s 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the final of the 1952 Olympic Games. He was the manager and chief coach of the 1971 World Cup winning Indian hockey team. He served as the Director, Sports Department, Punjab, and encouraged the youth for the sports arena,” said the spokesperson.