It only feels like yesterday, says 94 yr old Olympic gold medalist, Balbir Singh
94-year-old Indian gold medalist, Balbir Singh has stated that winning the gold medal at the 1948 Olympics, feels like an event that took place yesterday. He also stated that winning a gold medal against India’s once colonial masters was highly patriotic and out of the world feeling for him.
Seventy years have passed since Independent India had won its first Olympic gold in hockey in London defeating Britain, where Balbir Singh Sr. had started as a goalkeeper before moving up as a full-back and eventually a center forward. Singh had played a leading role in that win by scoring two goals and the team had received a grand welcome from the Indian fans upon their return home.
Living legend Balbir Singh Sr. went down the memory lane stating that he was overwhelmed by a sense of patriotism after the triumph. He recalled that the win was also special as it was over India’s once colonial masters, who had ruled until a year back then.
“The event happened 70 years ago, but it feels like only yesterday. I still remember the feeling when the Indian flag was hoisted at the 1948 Olympics when we beat Britain 4-0. As our national anthem was being played and the
A commemorative function was organized at the Chandigarh Press Club on Sunday to mark the 70th anniversary of the event when the
“I still remember that before the match started, the Wembley stadium was reverberating with the noise of English fans. As we took an early lead and later on pumped another goal, after the
He also recalled that despite being in tremendous form, he was not selected among the 39 players for the finals in 1948 and some of his wellwishers even approached the then Indian High Commissioner in London, V K Krishna Menon, and sought his help. Singh said it was only after Menon’s intervention and the voices asking for his inclusion in the team growing louder that he had secured a place in the playing eleven.
Singh also said that August 12,