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Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh, aged 92, passed ꦐaway due to post-Covid complications in Chandigarh on Friday.
As per the media reports, the ‘Flying Sikh’ was admitted to the ICU of Mohali’s Fortis hospital due to ‘COVID pneumonia’ on May 24. He was then shifted to the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh on June 3.
Although Mr Singh had tested negative for COVID-19 on Wednesday, but his condition deteriorated on Friday evening as he developed serious complications, including dipping oxygen saturation levels. Mr Singh’s family confirmed his sad demise in a media statement that said: “It is with extreme sadness that we would like to inform you that Milkha Singh Ji passed away. He fought hard, but God has his ways, and it was perhaps true love and companionship that both our mother Nirmal Ji and now Dad have passed away in a matter of 5 days.”
The four-time Asian Games champion was the first Indian track and field athlete to win gold in the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958. Afte🎃r his sad demise, many prominent names in the cricket fraternity paid their tributes to Mr Singh.
Former India captain Sachin Tendulkar wrote: “Rest in Peace, our very own ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh Ji. Your demise has left a deep void in every Indian’s heart today, but you shall keep inspiring several generations to come.”
Rest in Peace our very own ‘Flying Sikh’ Milkha Singh 🥃ji.
Your demise has left a deep void in 𒅌every Indian’s heart today, but you shall keep inspiring several generations to come.
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
Ex-Indian cricketer Suresh Raina gave his condolences to Mr Singh’s friends and family. He wrote: “Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of legendary Milkha Singh Ji. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to friends & family.”
Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of legendar🌞y Milkha Singh Ji. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to friends & family.
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
Speedster Jasprit Bumrah termed Mr 🍨Singh as a legend and inspiration while paying tribute to the former 400m athlete.
“A hero, an inspiration, a legend. His legacy will live on for generations to come. Rest in Peace, Milkha Singh sir,” tweeted Bumrah.
ꦺA hero, an inspiration, a legend. His legacy will live on for generatꦆions to come. Rest in Peace, Milkha Singh sir.
— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93)
Former Indian batsman VVS Laxman asserted that Mr Singh’s legacy would inspire future generations.
“Sad to hear the passing away of the legend #MilkhaSingh Ji. His legacy will live on for generations to come—my heartfelt condolences to his family and well-wishers. Om Shanti,” Laxman wrote on Twitter.
Sad to hear the passing away of the legend ji. His legacy will live on for generations to come. My heartfelt condolences to his family and well-wishers. Om ♎Shanti
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Indian head coach Ravi Shastri wrote: “India’s greatest @Olympics runner. Shook the world in the 60s with his competitive spirit inspite of the most limited facilities. He took the word determination and will to compete to another level. Respect. God bless your soul. Condolences to @JeevMilkhaSingh & family.”
India’s greatest runner. Shook the world in 60s with his competitive spirit inspite of the most limited facilities. He took the word deꦕtermiღnation and will to compete to another level. Respect. God bless your soul. Condolences to & family 🙏🏻 🇮🇳
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc)
Here is how other cricketers reacted:
Deeply saddened to hear the passing 💝of❀ Milkha SinghJi. His legacy will live on… a true legend and an icon. Condolences to his family and friends. 🙏🏽
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)
Sad to hear the passing away of the legend ji
— Navdeep Saini (@navdeepsaini96)
The great man ji has left us in body, but the name Milkha will always live on as being synonymous with courage and will-power.
What a man. My sincere condolences to his fa🎀mily. Om Sha💙nti 🙏— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Very sad,heartbreaking to hear flyi𒅌ng sikh Sardar Milkha singh ji is no more.. ��🙏 waheguru 🙏🙏
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh)
Its sadཧdened to hear about thank you for all your efforts that you have taken for County. You will be misse🗹d legend.
— Munaf Patel (@munafpa99881129)
Deeply saddened to hear the loss of legendary spriꦿnter Sh. milkha Singh ji. A true motivation and inspiration for ever🀅yone. Rest in Peace sir 🙏🏽
— Siddharthh Kaul (@iamsidkaul)
Saddened to hear about the ⛎sudden demise of the legendary Milkha Singh ji. He was an inspiration to many generations. My sincere condolences to his family and frien✨ds.
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
💔 May your soul rest in peace.
— Gurkeerat Mann (@gurkeeratmann22)
Deeply saddened to hear about the demise of one of India's greatest athletes, Milkha Singh ji.
May his soul rest in peace. 🙏🏻— DK (@DineshKarthik)