Tribune News Service

Mohali, May 25

After a one-year wait, the Punjab Government finally announced to rename the Mohali International Hockey Stadium, Sector 63, after triple Olympian and Padma Shri Balbir Singh Sr. The stadium will now be known as Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium. “Due to certain circumstances, the project got delayed. We had decided last year to dedicate this stadium to Balbir Singh Sr. His contribution towards promoting hockey is immense and unmatchable,” said Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, who formally made the announcement on the first death anniversary of the legendary hockey player and coach.

Sodhi also said a statue of Balbir Singh Sr would be built at the stadium to inspire young players. “It will be installed at the stadium entrance,” he said.

The minister also announced to start a scholarship scheme in the legend’s name for meritorious hockey players of the state.

“Also, once the Covid situation eases, an international hockey tournament will be held at this stadium to commemorate the stalwart’s sporting journey.”

Balbir Singh Sr played an important role in making Indian hockey team a three-time Olympics champion. No one has been able to break his Olympics 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 also was the manager of the 1975 World Cup winning Indian team.

The Punjab Government had honoured the legendary player with the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in 2019.

Token of appreciation

Balbir Singh Senior’s grandson Kabir Singh also presented a book, “Golden Goal”, written by Principal Sarwan Singh, to the Sports Minister as a token of appreciation. Olympians Rajinder Singh Senior, Rajinder Singh (Junior), Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh, Sports Secretary Raj Kamal Chaudhary, Director DPS Kharbanda and Joint Director Kartar Singh were also present on the occasion.