Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had also wished the legend a speedy recovery.
The Secretary General of the Pakistan Hockey Federation Asif Bajwa also condoled the death of Singh.
Balbir Sr's three Olympic gold medals came in London (1948), Helsinki (1952) as vice-captain, and Melbourne (1956) as captain.
Hockey icon Balbir Singh Senior, who died at 96 after battling multiple health issues, was on Monday cremated in Chandigarh with full state honours, with Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi declaring that the Mohali stadium will be named after the legendary player. The mortal remains of the three-time Olympic gold medallist was consigned to flames at an electric crematorium here, with his maternal grandson Kabir performing the last rites in the presence of Sikh priests.
'I feel both deserve to be honoured with Bharat Ratna. Why not? They are our national heroes who have been inspiring a generation of sportspersons and will continue to do so'
'He did not take a loss lying down.' 'He inspired us to go to the next tournament with renewed confidence and helped us perform well.' 'That's the way I would remember him.'
Star Indian hockey players Hardik Singh and Salima Tete are among the nominees for the Hockey India Player of the Year awards, with the ceremony set to recognise outstanding achievements and contributions to Indian hockey.
'MRI brain done, results awaiting.'
Balbir Sr was taken to the private hospital from his residence in Sector 36 in Chandigarh, where he lives with his daughter Sushbir and maternal grandson Kabir.
Hardik Singh and Navneet Kaur were named Hockey India Player of the Year in the men's and women's categories, respectively, at a ceremony in New Delhi. Several other players, officials, and member units were also recognised for their contributions to Indian hockey.
Star goalkeeper Savita Punia returns to the Indian women's hockey team after a 10-month break, while Salima Tete misses the Argentina series due to illness. The tour serves as crucial preparation for upcoming major tournaments.
The Indian senior women's national hockey team is set to begin a training camp in Bengaluru to prepare for the upcoming World Cup and other major tournaments.
Hockey legend Balbir Singh Sr on Tuesday suffered a cardiac arrest and his condition remains critical, his grandson Kabir said in a medical update. The 96-year-old, a triple Olympic gold medallist, was hospitalised in Mohali on May 8.
Balbir Singh Sr met MS Dhoni four years ago when the Indian team was at the PCA stadium in Mohali ahead of their World T20 tie against Australia. Singh wanted to convey his good wishes to the team before the game.
If anyone qualifies to be called a legend in Indian hockey after Dhyan Chand, it's Balbir Singh Senior, said iconic Milkha Singh condoling the death of his 'great friend'. Balbir and Milkha competed together at the highest level for the country in their respective games and even worked together for Punjab Sports department in the 1960s.
If Dhyan Chand's wizardry was a source of joy in a colonised India, Balbir Singh Sr's artistry was an inspiration for an India trying to find its bearings post-independence.
In 1985, Balbir Singh Sr had donated his medals and memorabilia to the then SAI Secretary on being told that they would be displayed in a show window at the then proposed National Sports Museum.
India, the eight-time Olympic champions, won their only World Cup in Kuala Lumpur in 1975 defeating Pakistan 2-1 with Surjit Singh Randhawa and Ashok Kumar netting the goals.
Tributes pour in for Hockey great Balbir Singh Sr.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
'If he is being spoken in the same breath as Dhyan Chand, then you can image how good he was.'
Seventy years after Independent India won its first Olympic gold in hockey in London defeating Britain, living legend Balbir Singh Sr. went down the memory lanes and said he was overwhelmed by a sense of patriotism after the triumph.
The 33-year-old midfielder from Punjab, a place synonymous with Indian hockey folklore, now stands as the second-highest capped Indian men's player of all time, behind only former Captain and current Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey (412 caps).
'As our national anthem was being played and the tricolour was going up, I felt that I too was flying with the flag. The sense of patriotism that I felt was beyond any other feeling in the world'
Skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who powered India to a second successive bronze medal in hockey at the Olympics in Paris, was on Saturday nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award.
Sporting world lost some of its favourite stars this year.
Mid-fielder Salima Tete on Thursday replaced veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia as captain of the 24-strong Indian women's hockey squad for the Belgium and England legs of the FIH Pro League starting later this month.
On this day 72 years ago, the Indian hockey team gave the country its first major sporting triumph as an independent nation when they clinched the gold medal at the 1948 London Olympic Games.
Triple Olympic hockey gold medallist Balbir Singh is hopeful of the P R Sreejesh-led men's hockey team winning a medal at the Games in Rio.
A look at the few bright spots, the many worries, and moments that made for a distinctly indelible 2020.
Former India football captain Baichung Bhutia was given the Lifetime Achievement award, while hockey legend and three-time Olympic gold medallist Balbir Singh Sr was honoured with the Icon of the Century award.
Hockey greats Balbir Singh (Sr) and Ajit Pal Singh hailed India's Asian Games gold medal-winning effort but felt the players still have a mountain to climb to succeed at the World and Olympic level.
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