K. D. Singh

Kunwar Digvijay Singh (February 2, 1922 – March 27, 1978), popularly known as "K.D.Singh 'Babu'", was a famous Indian field hockey player. He was born in Barabanki.

He was the captain of the gold medal-winning Indian team at 1952 Helsinki Olympics Games. Before that, he had played in the capacity of vice-captain in the 1948 Olympic Games. The Indian team won a gold medal on both the occasions. The 1948 outing was the first Olympic participation of India as an independent nation, which made the gold medal victory a very important achievement for the nascent nation even though it had held the Olympic gold in 1928,1932 and 1936.

K.D. Singh Babu received the Helms Trophy in 1953 for being the best hockey player in the world (1952). He was first selected to All India Hockey Team in 1946-47 for the tour to Afghanistan. In 1958 he was awarded the prestigious Padmashri award by the Government of India. He later served as the coach for Indian hockey team for 1972 Munich Olympics. K.D. Singh Babu was a member of numerous organisations that include All India Council of Sports, Railway Board, Rifle Association of India and Wild Life Protection Committee of Uttar Pradesh.

On March 27, 1978, he died of a gunshot from his own weapon. It is believed that he had committed suicide. 'Mental tension' is cited as the reason for his suicide. The stadiums in Lucknow city and Barabanki are named after him.

External links

* [http://barabanki.nic.in/person.htm Biography on nic's Barabanki portal]
* [http://sportal.nic.in/legenddetails.asp?sno=686&moduleid=&maincatid=41&subid=0&comid=55 Biography on nic's Sports portal ]