ACT triumph is an indication of better things ahead: Balbir Sr

NEW DELHI: Hockey Olympian Balbir Singh Sr feels that India’s triumph in the Asian Champions Trophy is an indication of better things to come in near future.

“I want to congratulate the players and team management for this victory. This victory has come after a long time. Even the Indians based in Canada are delirious at this achievement. Let’s hope that this is the beginning of a bright future for Indian hockey,” the 87-year-old legendary centre forward told from Vancouver, where he is now based.

Balbir Sr, who was member of three Olympic gold-medal winning squads (London’ 48, Helsinki ’52 and Melbourne ’56), who has now been away from India for decades feels that any victory on foregn soil makes NRI Olympians proud.

“I feel elated as all such victories of our team enhance the prestige of former Olympians living abroad. It reminds me the golden past of Indian Hockey,” the veteran stated.

A prolific scorer in his time, Balbir Sr scored a double hat-trick in his debut Olympic match against Argentina and struck twice in the final against hosts Great Britain. In the next edition in Helsinki, he scored nine goals.

He feels disciple is the key to success. “Maintaining discipline during training camp played an important role in this victory. It has been proved once again that nobody is indispensible,” with obvious reference to Sandeep and Sardara Singh episode.

Referring to his autobiography “The Golden Hat-trick” published back in 1977, he stated, “The recent episode (Sardara and Sandeep) reminds me what I had written in my autobiography. Balbirs come and Balbirs go but India goes for ever.”

However, the veteran doesn’t want Rajpal Singh and his mates to get complacent after this success.

“Let us not be too complacent as more important tournaments including Olympic qualifiers are ahead,” the Padmashri awardee concluded.