Virat Kohli condoles demise of hockey icon Mohammed Shahid

Antigua, July 20 (ANI): India's Test skipper Virat Kohli on Wednesday paid tribute to legendary Indian hockey player Mohammed Shahid, who passed away at the age of 56 after battling severe liver and kidney ailments. Expressing his grief over the loss of `icon` Shahid , Kohli said ,"Want to pay condolences on behalf of the Indian cricket team to Mohammed Shahid's family. I think he was an icon in hockey. One of the greatest players, brought so much glory to the nation. It is a very sad moment." Shahid, a member of the Indian team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, had been admitted to the Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon after being airlifted from Varanasi due to worsening health condition in the last week of June. The hockey legend's health condition had deteriorated further as he slipped into coma late Tuesday night and was put on the ventilator as a last ditch effort. He was also a part of the national team that won silver in the Delhi Asiad in 1982, and bronze in Seoul four years later. Shahid was conferred the Arjuna Award in 1981 and the Padma Shri in 1986. Last month, the Sports Ministry had announced a medical grant of Rs 10 lakh for him and the Indian Railways, his employers, had also declared that they would pay for his medical expenses. (ANI)