ਚੰੜੀਗੜ੍ਹ: ਹਾਕੀ ਦੇ ਚੋਟੀ ਦੇ ਖਿਡਾਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਤਿੰਨ ਵਾਰ ਓਲੰਪਿਕ ਸੋਨ ਤਮਗਾ ਜੇਤੂ ਬਲਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਦਾ ਅੱਜ ਸਵੇਰੇ 6:17 ਵਜੇ ਦੇਹਾਂਤ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ। ਉਹ ਕਈ ਦਿਨਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਫੋਰਟਿਸ ਹਸਪਤਾਲ ਮੁਹਾਲੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਾਖਲ ਸਨ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਨਾਲ ਸਮੁੱਚੇ ਖੇਡ ਜਗਤ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੋਗ ਦੀ ਲਹਿਰ ਫੈਲ ਗਈ ਹੈ। ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮ੍ਰਿਤਕ ਦੇਹ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਦੇ ਸੈਕਟਰ 36 ਵਿਚਲੇ ਨਿਵਾਸ ਸਥਾਨ ‘ਤੇ ਲਿਜਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। ਅੱਜ ਸ਼ਾਮ ਵਜੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਸਨਮਾਨਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਸਕਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ।
ਪੀਐਮ ਮੋਦੀ ਨੇ ਸੋਗ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਵਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹੋਏ ਲਿਖਿਆ, ਖੇਡਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਯਾਦਗਾਰ ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਨੂੰ ਹਮੇਸ਼ਾ ਯਾਦ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਜਾਵੇਗਾ।
Padma Shri Balbir Singh Sr. Ji will be remembered for his memorable sporting performances. He brought home lots of pride and laurels. Undoubtedly a brilliant hockey player, he also made a mark as a great mentor. Pained by his demise. Condolences to his family and well wishers.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 25, 2020
ਸੂਬੇ ਦੇ ਮੁੱਖਮੰਤਰੀ ਕੈਪਟਨ ਅਮਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਨੇ ਦੁਖ ਦਾ ਪ੍ਰਗਟਾਵਾ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਟਵੀਟ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ ਕਿ ਹਾਕੀ ਦੇ ਮਹਾਨ ਨਾਇਕ ਬਲਬੀਰ ਸਿੰਘ ਸੀਨੀਅਰ ਜੀ ਸਾਡੇ ‘ਚ ਨਹੀਂ ਰਹੇ ਪਰ ਹਾਕੀ ਦੇ ਖੇਤਰ ‘ਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦਾ ਯੋਗਦਾਨ ਤੇ ਅੰਤਰਰਾਸ਼ਟਰੀ ਪੱਧਰ ‘ਤੇ ਭਾਰਤ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਚਮਕਾਉਣ ‘ਚ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਜੋ ਦਿਨ-ਰਾਤ ਮਿਹਨਤ ਕੀਤੀ ਉਹ ਸਦਾ ਸਾਡੇ ਦਿਲਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਹੇਗੀ।
Saddened to learn about passing away of Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr. A Triple Olympic Gold medallist, he exemplified qualities of perseverance, dedication & sportsmanship. Sir, you will be dearly missed & will forever remain an inspiration! A grateful State bids you farewell. pic.twitter.com/bwQwJyYbdo
— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) May 25, 2020
Hockey India extends its condolences to fans, friends and family of the 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Padma Shri Awardee, Balbir Singh Sr.🙏#IndiaKaGame #RIP @BalbirSenior
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) May 25, 2020
“The day our flag was hoisted in front of thousands at Wembley Stadium (1948) and the national anthem played, I felt like I was flying.” – 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist, Balbir Singh Sr.
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— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) May 25, 2020
Sad to learn about the demise of Shri Balbir Singh Sr, a legendary hockey player and triple Olympic Gold medallist. He made the nation proud through his remarkable achievements in Hockey. My condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/qnQEHmScPW
— Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) May 25, 2020
Pained to learn about the demise of Padma Shri Balbir Singh Sr ji, a legendary hockey player, who left indelible imprint on world hockey with his stick.
I was fortunate to have met the lively and joyful Balbir ji, a three time Olympic gold medalist. My condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/rgQFi3yB8V
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 25, 2020
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Balbir Singh Sr ji. An athlete par excellence and a role model beyond words! His bestowed hands may strengthen my passions more. My condolences to his family, friends and fans!#balbirsingh #Balbirhockey pic.twitter.com/figkm8ibBW
— P.T. USHA (@PTUshaOfficial) May 25, 2020
Pained to learn about the passing of our three times Olympic Gold medalist and legend Balbir Singh Senior sir this morning.
His contribution towards Indian hockey is unforgettable. He will continue to inspire our generations to come.
My deepest condolences to his family. RIP pic.twitter.com/8qcIuHe9vW
— Rani Rampal (@imranirampal) May 25, 2020
#BalBirSingh ji- A True Giant and a half in his field. Hockey legend out and out. Condolences 🙏 #BalbirSinghSenior pic.twitter.com/4xClWGmhkT
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 25, 2020
IOA mourns the passing of legendary Balbir Singh Sr. In his demise Indian sports has lost one of its most revered Hockey stalwarts and an iconic #Olympian
Balbir ji will always remain alive in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. #RIP💙 #TeamIndia🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/MqjXQ2pfzT
— NOC India (@WeAreTeamIndia) May 25, 2020
Triple-Olympic gold medallist Balbir Singh Senior breathed his last at a Mohali hospital on Monday morning. Senior’s longtime friend SD Gupta confirmed the new of his death. 96-year-old Senior was admitted in a Mohali hospital earlier this month. @IndianExpress
— Nitin Sharma (@Nitinsharma631) May 25, 2020
Saddened to hear of the demise of one of India’s most celebrated Olympians, Balbir Singh Sr. Athletes and role models such as him come very rarely, and it was an honour to know him, and I hope his example will continue to inspire athletes from around the world!
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) May 25, 2020
