Balbir Singh Sr. was a legendary Indian hockey player and coach, widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Born on October 10, 1924, in Punjab, India, Singh grew up with patriotism in his blood and a single dream to make his nation proud ¹.

Singh's impressive hockey career spanned over two decades, during which he won three Olympic gold medals in 1948, 1952, and 1956. He was also a key player in India's victories in the Asian Games and the Hockey World Cup. Singh's Olympic record for most goals scored by an individual in an Olympic men's hockey final remains unbeaten, with five goals scored against the Netherlands in the 1952 Olympic final ².

*Awards and Achievements*

- _Olympic Gold Medals_: 1948, 1952, and 1956

- _Padma Shri Award_: 1957, the first sportsperson to receive this honor

- _Asian Games Silver Medal_: 1958

- _Best Sikh Hockey Player_: 2006

- _Indian Sportsperson of the Century_: 1982

- _Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award_: 2015

Singh's legacy extends beyond his impressive achievements on the field. He inspired generations of hockey players and remains a beloved figure in Indian sports. The Mohali International Hockey Stadium was renamed the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium in his honor in 2021 ².