Former India hockey player and an Olympics bronze medallist Gurbax Singh Grewal passed away following a heart attack in Zirakpur on Friday. He was 84.
Grewal was a member of the Indian team that secured a bronze medal at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.
Hockey India (HI) announced his demise in a statement on Saturday, expressing grief over the loss.
“Hockey India on Saturday expresses profound grief on the passing of former Indian Men’s Hockey Team player and Olympian Gurbax Singh Grewal, who passed away at the age of 84. A member of India’s Bronze medal-winning team at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Gurbax Singh Grewal leaves behind a rich legacy as a player, mentor, and administrator,” the statement read.
He played alongside his brother Balbir Singh Grewal, marking the first time in Indian hockey history that two real brothers represented the country together at the same Olympic Games.
Born on April 1, 1942, in Lyallpur, Punjab Province of British India (now in Pakistan), Grewal moved to Mumbai in his early 20s to pursue hockey. He went on to represent Western Railways, where he built a distinguished career both on and off the field.
Following his retirement as Sports Officer with Western Railways, Grewal remained deeply involved in the sport’s development. He coached multiple Mumbai teams for numerous years and later served as the Honorary Secretary of the Mumbai Hockey Association.
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Expressing his condolences, Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said, “The Indian hockey fraternity is deeply saddened by the passing of Gurbax Singh Grewal ji. He was a valued member of India’s Olympic medal-winning team and a true servant of the sport whose contributions extended far beyond the field. His passion for hockey and his dedication towards nurturing future generations will always be remembered. On behalf of Hockey India, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones in this hour of grief.”