Former India hockey player Raghbir Bhola passes away

NEW DELHI: Former India hockey player Raghbir Singh Bhola, a two-time Olympic medallist, has passed away aged 92, his family said on Tuesday.nnBhola, who breathed his last on Monday, represented India in the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics, winning a gold and silver medals respectively for the country.nnHe is survived by his wife Kamla Bhola, three daughters and three grandsons.nnIndian Olympic Association (IOA) took to twitter to offer its condolences.nn”With heavy heart @ioaindia express condolences on the passing of Hockey legend R. S. Bhola. Two time #Olympic medallist, Arjuna awardee and a passionate field hockey player, R. S. Bhola breathed his last today. Our thoughts and prayers to family and friends. #RIP,” IOA wrote on its twitter handle.nnInternational Hockey Federation (FIH) chief Narinder Batra, who is also the IOA President, paid rich tribute to Bhola.nn”I am deeply shocked to hear of the passing of Group Captain (Retd) Raghubir Singh Bhola. My sincere prayers that his soul finds eternal peace and my heartfelt condolences to his family and the entire hockey fraternity,” he said in a statement.nn”A part of the Indian men’s hockey teams that won Olympic gold in Melbourne in 1956 and silver in Rome in 1960, he has made outstanding contribution to hockey, as player, umpire and team manager.nn”I have known him as one of the most upright and outstanding students of the game and as someone who was always willing to assist anyone who sought his counsel. He was always willing to lend his ear and offer his honest opinion. The sport of hockey will be indebted to him for his glittering role in its evolution.”nnBhola’s dedication and passion for field hockey continued in various aspects throughout his life and he served in diverse roles such as member of the IHF selection committee, FIH international umpire, manager of the Indian hockey team, TV commentator and government observer at the Olympic Games.nnHe successfully captained the Indian Air Force hockey and Services team from 1954-60 and won the Inter Services Hockey Championship three times and the National Hockey Championship on two occasions.nnIn 2000, he was honoured with the Arjuna Award for his achievements in hockey.nnSource: Press Trust of India