Mohali Hockey Stadium renamed after Balbir Singh Senior's legendary history
Chandigarh/UNI: The Mohali International Hockey Stadium on Tuesday was dedicated to the memory of Padma Shri Balbir Singh Senior in a formal ceremony.
Now onwards the stadium will be known as "Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium."
On the occasion that marked the first death anniversary of the hockey great, the Minister announced that once the COVID situation eases out, an international hockey tournament will be held at this stadium to commemorate the stalwart's sporting journey.
The function saw Balbir Singh Senior's grandson Kabir Singh being presented with a book named Golden Goal written by Principal Sarwan Singh to the Sports Minister as a token of love.
Rana Sodhi also said that the sports department would start a scholarship in the name of the icon to support outstanding sports-persons of the state.
Additionally, he said a statue in the deceased star's memory will be installed at the Stadium entrance.
Balbir Singh Senior played an important role in the Indian hockey team by winning the Olympic's thrice and also being credited with an Olympic final record that no one has been able to defeat. He had scored five goals in India's 6-1 victory over the Netherlands in the final of the 1952 Olympic Games.
Balbir Singh Senior was the manager of the 1975 winning World Cup hockey team, however, he also served as the Director, Sports Department, Punjab and encouraged the youth for the sports arena.
Punjab Government had honoured the legendary player with Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award in 2019.
On this occasion four Olympians Rajinder Singh Senior, Rajinder Singh Junior, Ajit Singh and Prabhjot Singh and Secretary Sports Raj Kamal Chaudhary were present.
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