KD Singh Babu

Kunwar Digvijay Singh, better known as K.D. Singh \"Babu\", was an Indian field hockey player. He was first selected to the All India Hockey Team in 1946-47 for the tour to Afghanistan. He played in the capacity of vice-captain in the 1948 Olympic Games. He was the captain of the Indian team at 1952 Helsinki Olympics Games. The Indian team won a gold medal on both occasions. He later served as the coach for Indian hockey team for the 1972 Munich Olympics. K.D. Singh Babu was a member of numerous organisations that include All India Council of Sports, Railway Board, Rifle Association of India and Wild Life Protection Committee of Uttar Pradesh. K.D. Singh Babu received the Helms Trophy in 1953 for being the best hockey player in the world (1952) and the best sportsman of Asia (1953). This was the first time an Indian was awarded the Helms Trophy - America\'s Nobel Prize in sport given to the best athlete from each continent. In 1958 he was awarded the prestigious Padmashri award by the Government of India. The stadium at Lucknow and Barabanki both are known as the K. D. Singh Babu Stadium.