his photograph commemorates
independent India's first Olympic gold medal, won during the 1948 London Olympics. This
also marked the first time former colony India and former ruler Britain met in a hockey
match. India won easily. The photograph shows centre-forward Balbir Singh Sr. scoring one
of his 2 goals in the final. We reproduce an excerpt from 'The Golden Hat Trick' - the
autobiography of Balbir Singh Sr.
"The match started with chants of 'Come on Britain'. Our opponents were full of confidence as they had beaten Pakistan 2-0 in the semi-finals, shutting out all hopes of a new nation.
The ground had become slippery and wet due to a slight drizzle. Kishan Lal and K. D. Singh Babu took off their shoes and played barefoot. In the first half I scored twice - both hits taken from the top of the circle off passes from Kishan Lal and Babu.
Tarlochan Singh converted a penalty corner early in the second half and Pat Jansen scored a field goal to end British hopes. The spectators were thrilled. The gold medal was ours.
When we reached Bombay by ship on our way back, the city literally unrolled its biggest red carpet. We are simply swept off our feet, and it was here that I realized what victory meant to our nation starved of world class accomplishments. Hockey was the only sport that gave our country a ray of golden hope."
Photo Courtesy : Wills Book of Excellence - Hockey