The Hindu : Sport : Kamineni Rao’s death condoled

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Saturday, Nov 10, 2007
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Sport - Sports : General

Kamineni Rao’s death condoled

HYDERABAD: Former SAAP chairman P.R. Mohan condoled the death of Olympian weightlifter Kamineni Eswara Rao who passed away a couple of days ago in his native village of Bhatlapenamarru of Krishna district. In a message on Friday, Mohan recalled the contribution of Eswara Rao and especially his rise to stardom from the grassroots in 1950s and 60s when there was very little support for the sport.

“He was a perfect example of a simple person despite achieving greatness under adversity,” Mohan remarked.

In another statement, APOA secretary L.Venkatram Reddy also expressed similar sentiments. “We always remember Eswara Rao as one of the most affable sportspersons despite achieving so much. It was a pleasure to be associated with him over the years,” he said.

Former All England champion Pullela Gopi Chand, who incidentally was very keen to honour Eswara during the 10K Foundation Awards for outstanding sportspersons recently, said it was sad that the proposed felicitation function could not be held in view of the falling health of the great weightlifter. “He was a great source of inspiration for all of us. And I sincerely believe that many youngsters will look up to his career as a role model to achieve something big in the world of sports,” he remarked.

AP Weightlifting Association secretary Badeti Venkatramaiah said it was a big loss to weightlifting fraternity. Eswara Rao had the distinction of bringing name and fame to the sport when not many actually dared even to take it up. “The sport as such got a major fillip thanks to Arjuna Awardee Eswara Rao’s exploits,” he said.

Sports Minister R. Damodar Reddy said the death of Eswara Rao meant the passing away of one of the sporting legends from Andhra Pradesh. “We will miss this illustrious sportsperson from our midst. I express my condolences to the bereaved family members,” he said. — Principal Correspondent

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