92 year old sikh hockey player Balbir Singh honored in Canada

New Delhi: Winner of three Olympic gold medals, Indian-origin Sikh hockey player Balbir Singh was honored in the Canadian province of British Columbia (BC).

92-year-old Indian field hockey legend Balbir Singh was honored by assistant deputy speaker of the B.C. Legislature, MLA Raj Chouhan, in the House on Wednesday, was reported on Thursday.

"Madam Speaker it gives me a great pleasure and honour to speak about an unsung hero and a forgotten legend. Balbir Singh has won three Olympic Gold medals in field hockey. The first in 1948 in London, winning India's first gold medal as a sovereign nation. He won the second gold in Helsinki. He led his team in scoring, including setting an Olympic / Guinness Record in the final when he scored five goals. That record stands to this day," Chouhan said.

"Then again in 1956 in Melbourne, he won his third gold medal when he led his team. He scored 22 goals over three Olympic Games. Singh was the only chief coach and manager to lead India to a World Cup victory in 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, he added.

Singh was one of 16 Iconic Olympians named by the International Olympic Committee along with Jesse Owens and Australian track and field star Cathy Freeman in 2012. He was the only South Asian and field hockey player on the list.

"Today he is joined by a great author Patrick Blennerhassett. Patrick has written a very invigorating book about him called 'A Forgotten Legend'. This book will be launched on March 5," Chouhan noted. (IANS)(Image Courtesy: balls.com)