Balbir Singh Kullar facts for kids
Picture of Retired D.I.G. Balbir Singh Kullar taken in 2001
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality | Indian | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 8 August 1942 Sansarpur, India |
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| Died | 28 February 2020 (age 77) Sansarpur, India |
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| Alma mater | DAV College, Jalandhar | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employer | Punjab Police (retired as DIG in 2001) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Field hockey | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Men's team | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | India (International) Railways (National) Punjab State (National) Punjab Police (National) All India Police (National) |
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Medal record
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| Updated on 9 June 2012. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Sardar Balbir Singh Kullar (born August 8, 1942 – died February 28, 2020) was a famous Indian field hockey player. He was also a respected officer in the Punjab Police. Sometimes, his last name is spelled Khullar.
Balbir Singh was born in a village called Sansarpur in the Jalandhar district of India. This village is known for producing many great hockey players!
Contents
Balbir Singh's Hockey Journey
Early Days and School Hockey
Balbir Singh loved hockey from a young age. From 1957 to 1960, he was the captain of the All India Schools team. This means he led the best school hockey players from all over India! He also played for the Combined University Team.
Playing for Different Teams
At a national level, Balbir Singh played for several important hockey teams. He represented Punjab State, Indian Railways, and the Punjab Police teams. For a short time, he even played for a team called Mohun Bagan.
Joining the Police Force
In 1962, Balbir Singh joined the Punjab Armed Police. The very next year, in 1963, he became an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Punjab Police.
International Hockey Star
First International Game
Balbir Singh played his first international hockey game in 1963. This exciting match took place in Lyon, France. He quickly became known as a strong "inside forward" player for the Indian team.
Touring the World
As a key player, Balbir Singh traveled to many countries. He toured places like Belgium, East Africa, England, the Netherlands, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, and Germany. He helped show the world how good Indian hockey was.
Winning Medals for India
Balbir Singh was part of the amazing Indian team that won several big medals:
- Gold Medal at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. This was a huge win for India!
- Gold Medal at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok.
- Bronze Medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics.
These medals show how talented and dedicated he was to his sport.
Life as a Police Officer
Leading the Police Team
From 1968 to 1975, Balbir Singh was a part of the All India Police hockey team. For some time, he even served as its captain, leading his fellow police officers on the field.
Rising Through the Ranks
Balbir Singh had a successful career in the police force. In 1981, he became a Deputy Superintendent of Police. Later, in 1987, he became an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. This is a very high rank in the Indian police system. He retired as a Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in February 2001.
Awards and Recognition
Balbir Singh Kullar received important awards for his contributions to sports and public service:
- Padma Shri (2009): This is one of the highest civilian awards in India.
- Arjuna Award (1999): This award is given to outstanding athletes in India.
Balbir Singh Kullar passed away at his home in Sansarpur when he was 77 years old. He is remembered as a true hero in Indian hockey and a dedicated police officer.
