Asian Games gold medallist Indian boxer Kaur Singh passed away, Punjab CM Condoles
Indian boxer Kaur Singh, who won a gold medal at the Asian Games and even squared off against Muhammad Ali in an exhibition match, passed away on Thursday at a hospital in Kurukshetra, Haryana.He was 74 years old and was being treated for multiple of health issues.The ex-armyman had been residing in his hometown of Khanal Khurd in Punjab's Sangrur district.Notably, in January 1980, the boxer faced Ali in a four-round exhibition bout. He won the gold medal in heavyweight boxing at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi.In honour of his accomplishments, Kaur Singh received the Arjuna Award in 1982 and the Padma Shri in 1983."Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed profound grief and sorrow on Thursday over the sad demise of former Olympian and veteran boxer Kaur Singh, who died this morning in a private hospital in Kurukshetra." "He is survived by two sons and a daughter," according to an official statement issued here.Mann stated that Kaur Singh made India proud by gaining national and worldwide recognition.The boxer also competed in the Olympic Games for his country.He stated that Kaur Singh's life and efforts will always inspire budding boxers.The Punjab government said earlier this month that it intends to include the life tales of four renowned sportsmen in the school curriculum. Among them are hockey star Balbir Singh Senior, famed athlete Milkha Singh, and Olympian Gurbachan Singh Randhawa.Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains said earlier this month that their biographies will be included in physical education textbooks for grades 9 and 10.