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