DOHA (Qatar): Former India Olympic winner Ravider Pal Singh died on Saturday morning in Lucknow after battling Covid-19 for nearly two weeks.
Singh, 65, was admitted at the Vivekananda Hospital on April 24 after contracting the deadly virus.
According to family sources, Singh had recovered and was shifted to non-Covid ward on Thursday after testing negative.
But his condition suddenly deteriorated on Friday and he was put on a ventilator.
“Another such a sad news that double Olympian, gold medalist and my friend Ravinderpal is no more.. Another tragic end due to Corona. He was recovering well.. Don’t know what happened,” wrote former India goalkeeper and team-mate Mir Ranjan Negi on his social media post.
Singh, who also played at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, is survived by a niece. He also played in the 1979 Junior World Cup and took voluntary retirement from State Bank of India after quitting hockey.
“Remember him fondly when we played for the Junior World Cup at Paris for the first time together and when he came with Lucknow Sports Hostel at the Bombay Gymkhana for the Aga Khan.. with likes of Mohinder Bora, Bhandari, Mohammad Shahid, Naeem Bhai.. the team left Mumbai hockey lovers totally mesmerised with their amazing skill & speed,” added Negi.
Born in Sitapur, Singh excelled as a centre-half from 1979 to 1984.
Besides two Olympics, Singh had also represented India in the Champions Trophy in Karachi (1980, 1983), Silver Jubilee 10-nation Cup in Hong Kong in 1983, 1982 World Cup in Mumbai and 1982 Asia Cup in Karachi, among other tournaments.
“His interception of passes was simply amazing.. He was one of the greatest centre-half of our times. RIP Ravinder Pal…RIP dear Rabboo,” said Negi.
