Balbir Singh Kular Biography 
Colonel Balbir Singh Kular, also referred to as Balbir Singh Kullar was an Indian hockey player from Punjab. He was a member of National team which won Asian Games Gold in 1966 (Bangkok) and the Olympic Bronze in 1968 (Mexico). He scored three goals in the 1968 Olympics. He also toured in many foreign countries as a part of hockey tournaments. Balbir Singh represented the Services team in the National level tournaments during 1965–1974, and served as the captain of the team which won Bombay Gold Cup in 1971. Balbir Singh Kular served Indian army.
He hailed from Sansarpur village of the Jalandhar district, Punjab. Interestingly there is yet another hockey player from the same village with the same name, a police officer, who was the contemporary of Kular during his active years in 1950s, when both played together for Olympics and other international tournaments. There are 6 Indian hockey players with the name – Balbir Singh, who played in National team almost at the same time and all of them became successful; Balbir Singh Senior, Balbir Singh (born 21 September 1945 in Faisalabad), Balbir Singh (Western Railway), Balbir Singh (Navy), Balbir Singh Kullar (born in 1942), and Balbir Singh Kular.
Kular was born in Sansarpur village of the Jalandhar district, Punjab on 5 April 1945.During his college days, he played in inter-university championships. Later he represented team Punjab for national level tournaments. He retired from active career as a hockey player in the 1970s due to his knee problems, and later served as a coach. Singh later served as the President of Sansarpur Hockey Association. In 1968 he won the prestigious Arjuna Award. He joined military in 1965. Over the years he rose to the rank of Colonel. He is also a recipient of Vishisht Seva Medal.
Published: November 29, 2018
Updated: November 29, 2018
