Fatehgarh Sahib: A wave of grief has swept through Punjab’s sporting circles after Bittu Balial, a well-known kabaddi player from Sangrur district, died of a heart attack during a match in Rupaheri village, Fatehgarh Sahib, on Saturday.
Eyewitnesses said the 32-year-old player suddenly collapsed on the field mid-game. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
According to his teammates, Bittu, a resident of Balial village in Bhawanigarh, had been suffering from heart ailments for some time and had undergone the implantation of three stents. Despite medical advice urging him to quit the sport, he continued to play kabaddi to support himself financially.
“Bittu often said he couldn’t afford to stop playing. Kabaddi was his only source of income,” said one of his teammates, recalling how the player had been struggling to make ends meet.
The tragedy has highlighted the financial insecurities faced by rural athletes in Punjab, many of whom rely solely on local tournaments for their livelihood.
Bittu is survived by his wife and sister, while his parents and brother had passed away earlier. His untimely death has left the local community and the kabaddi fraternity in shock and mourning.
Tributes have poured in on social media, with players and fans remembering him as a dedicated sportsman who continued to play despite his health battles. Local sports officials have called for better medical and financial support for athletes participating in village-level tournaments.
