Nirmal Kaur, the wife of former athlete Milkha Singh, has died due to COVID-19 in a private hospital at Mohali.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that Nirmal Milkha Singh passed away after a valiant battle against COVID,” said the family as quoted by news agency ANI.

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Former captain of the Indian women’s volleyball team, Nirmal, 85, breathed her last at a private hospital in Mohali on Sunday. 

Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh tweeted his condolences, “Deeply saddened to know about passing away of Nirmal Milkha Singh Ji due to Post-Covid illness. She had served as the captain of India’s volleyball team and was a remarkable sportsperson. My heartfelt condolences to the family & friends.”

The news comes after PGIMER Director Jagat Ram told ANI that the oxygen saturation of Milkha Singh has improved.

“His parameters are stable”, said Ram. 

The legendary sprinter had been admitted to PGIMER Chandigarh on June 3 & is being treated for COVID-19.

Nirmal was brought to the hospital in the last week of May after contracting COVID-19-related pneumonia. Milkha, who was 91 at the time, was also admitted to the same Mohali hospital.

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Her oxygen level had plummeted as a result of COVID-19, and she had been on HFNC (high flow nasal cannula) and NIV (non-invasive ventilator) on and off since she had been admitted. Her health had not improved, but she remained stable.

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