The player who held a hockey stick at the age of 6, won India a silver medal in the Asian Games

Balbir Singh Junior Death Anniversary: Balbir Singh Jr. is counted among the great hockey players of India. He played an important role in winning the silver medal for the country due to his strong performance in the Asian Games held in 1958. After a memorable career in hockey, Balveer also served in the Indian Army, and retired with the rank of Major.

Balbir Singh was born on 13 April 1932 in Sansarpur, Jalandhar. Jalandhar was considered the stronghold of hockey at that time. Balbir held a hockey stick for the first time at the age of just 6, and his love for this game grew day by day. Balveer used to play at the position of center forward. Balveer continued to impress everyone with his strong play at the domestic level.

Balbir Singh Junior had given three consecutive titles to Indian Railways.

Balbir’s performance while playing for the state team of Punjab was excellent. At the same time, he also gave memorable victories to Punjab University in many matches on the basis of his game. In 1957, 1958, and 1959, Balveer played a key role in helping Indian Railways win the national title for three consecutive years.

Balbir was also a part of the Indian Railways team. He impressed everyone with his performance in India as well as on foreign soil. In the year 1951, the moment came in Balbir’s career for which he was waiting for a long time. Balbir was included in the Indian team that went on the tour of Afghanistan and after that he did not look back.

Balbir Singh Junior won the silver medal for India in 1958

He continued to perform well in the Indian jersey also. However, the biggest achievement of his international career came in the year 1958. The Indian team performed brilliantly and won the silver medal in the Asian Games played in Tokyo. Balbir Jr. played an important role in making this journey of the Indian team memorable in the tournament.

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After bringing glory to the country in the game of hockey, Balveer Junior joined the Indian Army as an Emergency Commissioned Officer in the year 1962. He served in the army for many years, and retired from the Army Ordnance Corps with the rank of Major. He stayed away from hockey after 1984. Balbir Junior died on 13 April 2021 at the age of 88.