Year in Review 2020, Biggest Sports Stories: Indian hockey's grand old man, Balbir Singh Senior, passes away
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Balbir arguably led the limitless pantheon of country’s hockey stalwarts, and his passing leaves a mighty hole in Indian hockey firmament.
It is 25 May, 2020. Sweating, sweltering, simmering. It is COVID-19 ; relentless, inexorable, undefeated. What could possibly be worse? The phone beeps one early morning, and without a trigger warning, the announcement arrives in five words of ruthless finality. Thus broke the news of the passing away of the genial giant of Indian hockey. Balbir Singh Senior – he, of fluffy white beard and red turban, of effortless goals and three Olympic golds, of 95 years of blissful life and a lifetime of memories – gone.