CHANDIGARH, MAY 25: The mortal remains of international hockey icon and Padma Shri Balbir Singh Senior were consigned to flames on Monday with full state honours at local electric crematorium.
Balbir Singh Senior’s grandson Kabir Singh lit the pyre in presence of deceased daughter Sushbir Kaur.
Disclosing this here today, a Spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Sodhi laid the wreath on behalf of the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh. A contingent of Punjab Police reversed arms and later fired in the air as a mark of respect to the legendary hockey star.
Meanwhile, MLAs Olympian Pargat Singh and Parminder Singh Dhindsa laid wreaths to pay their respects to the departed soul. On behalf of the Punjab Governor and Administrator of Union Territory,ADC Chandigarh Sachin Rana placed the wreath.
Representatives of Hockey India, Punjab Olympics Association and Hockey Punjab also laid wreaths to pay their last respects.
Talking to mediapersons, Rana Sodhi said the international hockey stadium at Mohali would be named in the memory Balbir Singh Senior, which would be formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh at an appropriate time.
Prominent amongst those, who paid last respects to Balbir Singh Senior included Principal Secretary Hussan Lal, Director Sports Punjab Sanjay Popli, Deputy Commissioner Mohali Girish Dayalan, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Chandigarh and Secretary Sports UT K.K. Yadav, Director Sports UT Tejvir Saini and people from different walks of life besides family, friends and admirers bid a tearful adieu to the hockey legend.
