XtraTime Web Desk: Renowned track and field coach Purushotham had to wait for more than two decades to get the recognition that she deserves, but suddenly on the eve of the big day, the respected coach breathed his last due to a massive cardiac arrest at Bengaluru on Friday. He died at the age of 79.
He was set to get the prestigious Dronacharya Award ((lifetime category) and was scheduled to receive the prestigious award from the President of India Ramnath Kovind in a virtual ceremony on Sunday.
“He took part in the rehearsal for the National Sports Awards but later suffered heart attack and passed away,” according to reports.
Rai famously shaped the careers of some of India’s best athletes like Ashwini Nachappa, Murali Kuttan, Rosa Kutty, etc. And he was one of the coaches for the Indian teams which took part in the 1987 World Athletics Championship, 1988 Asian Track and Field Championships and 1999 SAF Games.
He retired as a Sports Authority of India (SAI) coach in 2001. Then nominated himself to get the Dronacharya award.
With inputs from Outlook