Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh's wife Nirmal dies due to COVID-19 complications

Nirmal Kaur was 85 and is survived by his husband, one son and three daughters.

Indian track and field sprinter Milkha Singh with his wife Nirmal Kaur.

Former Indian women's volleyball team captain Nirmal Kaur, the wife of sprint legend Milkha Singh, died at a Mohali hospital on Sunday due to complications related to COVID-19.

She was 85 and is survived by her husband, one son and three daughters.

"We are deeply saddened to inform you that Mrs Nirmal Milkha Singh passed away after a valiant battle against COVID at 4 PM today," read a statement from the spokesperson of the Milkha family.

"A backbone of the Milkha Family, she was 85 years old. It is tragic that the Flying Sikh Milkha Singh ji could not attend the cremation which was conducted this evening itself as he is still in the ICU (of PGIMER in Chandigarh) himself."

Nirmal was brought to Fortis Hospital in Mohali on May 26, two days after Milkha was admitted to the same facility due to COVID-pneumonia. Milkha was discharged on the request of the family a week later but Nirmal remained at the hospital. Milkha was later admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of PGIMER and he is currently "stable and continues to improve".

A former Director of Sports for Women in the Punjab Government, Nirmal had fought a valiant battle till the very end, the family spokesperson said.

"The family has expressed its grateful thanks to everyone for their solidarity and prayers right through the battle which gave them the strength to face it bravely."