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Veteran Sports Administrator Suresh Kalmadi, Architect of Modern Indian Athletics, Dies at 81

Veteran sports administrator Suresh Kalmadi, former president of the Indian Olympic Association, passed away in Pune at the age of 81. He was a towering figure who served as IOA president for more than a decade and led the Athletics Federation of India for nearly 20 years. Kalmadi is credited with revolutionizing Indian athletics by introducing prize money meets, inviting elite foreign athletes, and reviving the National Games to build modern sports infrastructure. His tenure also included chairing the 2010 Commonwealth Games organising committee and leading the Asian Athletics Association.

Key Points: Suresh Kalmadi, Former IOA Chief, Passes Away at 81

  • Former IOA president for over a decade
  • Revived National Games & built infrastructure
  • Introduced prize money track meets in 1990s
  • Brought elite athletes like Carl Lewis to India
  • Served as Asian Athletics Association chief
2 min read

India's seasoned sports administrator Suresh Kalmadi passes away

Suresh Kalmadi, former Indian Olympic Association president and key figure in Indian sports administration, dies in Pune. He revived National Games and brought elite athletes to India.

"He revived the National Games which helped build modern infrastructure across the country. - Lalit Bhanot"

Pune, January 6

India's seasoned sports administrator and former president of the Indian Olympic Association, Suresh Kalmadi, passed away in Pune on January 6. Kalmadi, who was 81, is survived by his wife Meera Kalmadi, daughters and son. The last rites were held at Pune's Vaikunth Crematorium today, as per a press release from the IOA.

He was a towering figure in Indian sports administration, having served not only as the president of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) but also as the president of the Asian Athletics Association. He was also president of the Indian Olympic Association for more than a decade.

Former minister revolutionised Indian sports in general and athletics in particular during his long tenure as president of the IOA.

"His (Kalmadi) contribution to Indian sports will be remembered for a long time. He revived the National Games which helped build modern infrastructure across the country," Lalit Bhanot, former secretary of AFI, said. "He introduced prize money track-and-field permit meets in the early 1990s and invited elite foreign athletes, including Olympic champions like Carl Lewis and Mike Powell, which changed the concept of sports in the country."

Kalmadi was president of the Indian athletics body from 1987 to 2006 and also served as member council of World Athletics. He was chief of the Asian athletics body for nearly a decade starting 2000.

As the president of the IOA (1996 to 2012), Kalmadi was instrumental in organising Afro-Asian Games in Andhra Pradesh. A former union minister, he was also chairman of the 2010 New Delhi Commonwealth Games organising committee.

"He will always be remembered as a dedicated and inspirational sports administrator whose unwavering commitment to the cause of the Indian athletics has left an indelible mark," Bahadur Singh Sagoo, president AFI said. "He also made efforts to initiate Railway travel concessions for sportspersons."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Om Shanti. Whatever the controversies, his tenure saw a real push for athletics in India. Getting athletes like Carl Lewis to compete here was huge for inspiration. He connected Indian sports to the world stage.
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Aman W
The railway travel concession for sportspersons is something that genuinely helped thousands of athletes from small towns. That's a tangible, positive impact that lasted. 🙏
S
Sarah B
Reading this from a sports management perspective, his long tenure at the helm of multiple bodies shows how centralized sports administration was. His passing marks the end of an era, for better or worse.
K
Karthik V
A true giant in sports administration. The National Games revival and the infrastructure built across states is a lasting legacy. We should acknowledge the good work alongside the flaws. Deepest condolences to the family.
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Nisha Z
His contribution to Asian athletics is often overlooked. Serving as the chief of the Asian athletics body for a decade brought a lot of focus to the region. A full life, indeed. Om Shanti.

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