Asian Games gold medallist Hakam Singh Bhattal passed away at a private hospital in Sangrur, Punjab on Tuesday.
He had been ailing for some time and was undergoing treatment for liver and kidney ailments. He passed away at the age of 64.
Bhattal won gold in 20 km race walk event during the 1978 Asiad at Bangkok. The Dhyan Chand awardee had also served in the 6 Sikh regiment.
Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore had sanctioned financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to the athlete, while Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh helped him with Rs 5 lakh.
Punjab Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi expressed profound grief over the demise of Bhattal.
Condoling the demise of the athlete, Rana Sodhi said that both Punjab as well as the country would remember the glorious achievements of Bhattal in the sporting arena.
He termed the passing away of Bhattal as end of an era and an irreparable loss to the sports fraternity.
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