#ProudSikh: Balbir Singh Dosanjh - The Best Sikh Hockey Player of All Times: Interesting Facts

Balbir Singh Dosanjh needs no introduction. Popularly known as the Living Legend of Indian Hockey, 94-year-old Balbir Singh Dosanjh is among the greatest field hockey players India has ever produced.

Born on 19th October 1924 at Haripur Khalsa, Punjab, Balbir Singh Dosanjh made the India proud globally with his exceptional skills in the game of hockey. Balbir Singh Dosanjh, also known as the ‘Bhishma Pitamah’ of world hockey, decided to become a hockey player after he was left stunned by witnessing the skills of Dhyan Chand, popularly known as the father of Indian hockey.

Interestingly, Balbir Singh Dosanjh received his first hockey stick from his father as his birthday gift when he was just 7-year-old. That day changed the life Balbir Singh Dosanjh who later went to become a world hockey legend!

Here we are listing some interesting facts about the living legend.

• He received his education at Dev Samaj High School Moga, DM College, and Khalsa College Amritsar.
• After the partition, his family moved to Ludhiana.
• He was posted in Punjab Police and captained the Punjab Police team during 1941-1961.
• He is three-time Olympic gold medalist – 1948, 52 & 56.
• He has his name in The Guinness Book of World Records for the longest unbroken record of scoring maximum goals in any Olympic Hockey Finals.
• Balbir Singh Dosanjh was the first sportsperson to be honored with the Padma Shri award in the year 1957.
• He lit the Flame at the Asian Games 1982 held at New Delhi.
• In 2006 he was named the Best Sikh Hockey Player of All Times.
• Hockey India honored him with the Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
• He is India's first flag-bearer at the Olympics.
• He also served as the manager and chief coach of the Indian Hockey team.