Chandigarh, India: The sporting world has been mourning the passing of Milka Singh, one of India’s greatest ever athletes and father of golf star Jeev Milkha Singh. 

“Our condolences go to Jeev and his family,” said Tamiur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation. 

“Milkha’s exploits in athletics were an inspiration to a generation of Indians and the people of the sub-continent, while Jeev’s successes in golf proved similarly uplifting.” 

Jeev, who lost both his parents to the Covid-19 pandemic, took to Twitter to respond to the overwhelming outpouring of love from around the country. 

Jeev wrote: “For my sisters and me, our father, Mr Milkha Singh, was the most important man in our life. We were always aware of his fame. It was hard not to notice it as we grew up. However, the last few days have shown us what he really meant to the whole country. 

“From the honorary President to the ordinary man on the street, every Indian has showered us with love and unconditional support in these tough times as we come to terms with the loss of beloved parents.” 

Milkha, who was popularly known as the Flying Sikh, was a four-time Asian Games gold medalist and the 1958 Commonwealth Games champion. 

However, his greatest performance came at the 1960 Rome Olympics where he narrowly missed out on winning a bronze medal, finishing fourth in the 400 metres final.  

He also represented India in the 1956 and 1964 Olympics and was bestowed the Padma Shri in 1959. 

According to reports, Milkha succumbed to post-Covid-19 complications in Chandigarh's PGIMR hospital. He had been diagnosed with Covid-19 last month. 

Jeev also lost his mother, Nirmal Kaur, with Covid-related complications. Nirmal was a former captain of the Indian women's volleyball team. 

"May God give Jeev and his family the strength to bear this tragic loss," said Amin.