Balbir Singh (senior)

Balbir Singh Sr. (born October 10, 1924 in Haripur, Punjab) is a retired hockey player from India, who has been a member of three Olympic gold medal winning teams. His paternal grandparents are Dosanjh. His maternal grandparents are from the Punjabi village of Haripur Khalsa.

He was the flag bearer of the Indian Olympic Contingent at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and 1956 Melbourne Olympics. In 1957, he became the first hockey player to be awarded the Padma Shri. He was also a member of the Indian hockey team that won the silver medal at the Asian Games 1958 as well as the Asian Games 1962. He lit the Sacred Flame at the Asian Games 1962 which were held in New Delhi.

He coached the Indian team for the 1971 Men's World Hockey Cup in which India won the silver medal. He was the manager of the Indian team for the 1975 Men's World Hockey Cup which India won.

Achievements

Gold   1948   London 	
Gold   1952   Helsinki 	
Gold   1956   Melbourne