The former inside-right player underwent the procedure on Monday after being hospitalised for discomfort in the chest on Sunday. “Ashok Kumar underwent a successful angioplasty at the Escorts Hospital. The doctors implanted a few stents after they found a few blockages in his artery,” a family source told PTI.
“He is completely out of danger and in a very stable condition. He is right now under observation and will be discharged from the hospital in 2-3 days.” Ashok was popular for his ball control and was a member of the Indian team that won the 1975 World Cup under Ajit Pal Singh. He was also a member of the Indian side that won a bronze medal in the 1972 Munich Olympics.
The 74-year-old became a recipient of the Arjuna Award in 1974 and, in 1975, scored the winning goal against Pakistan in the World Cup. Kumar was awarded the Hockey India Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award earlier this year.
His other accomplishments include two more World Cup medals (bronze in 1971 Barcelona and silver in 1973 Amsterdam), besides three Asia Games silver medals (1970 Bangkok, 1974 Tehran and 1978 Bangkok).
(With PTI inputs)
