Uttar Pradesh: Olympian Ravinder Pal loses Covid battle

LUCKNOW: Known for his grit, quick passes and dribbling, veteran hockey player Ravinder Pal Singh, who helped Team India clinch a gold at Moscow Olympics in 1980, failed to dodge the deadly coronavirus and succumbed to infection on Saturday.
Lovingly known as ‘Rabu’ in the team, he played on the field as centre half and was known for with speed and accuracy which ensured that a goal is executed with precision.
Grappling with financial constraints, the 63-year-old player had tested positive for Covid-19 on April 12. When his condition did not improve, he was shifted to a hospital in Chowk on April 22 and then to another facility in Niralanagar on April 24. Two days later, he tested negative and was shifted to a non-Covid ICU but his condition remained critical. He was put on ventilator and breathed his last on Saturday morning. Ravinder Pal, who was unmarried, is survived by elder sister Saraswati Devi and elder brother Rajendra Pal Singh.
His niece Pragya Yadav had been trying hard to garner support for his treatment. Soon after his demise, tributes started pouring in from all quarters.
“He was the youngest in the Olympic team and closest to me. I still remember the composure he kept while playing a tough Spanish side in league matches when the opponents kept a check on Mohammed Shahid. Pal passed the ball swiftly and helped the team seal a draw,” recalled Vasudevan Baskaran, captain of the winning team.
“He never kept a penny for himself and whatever he earned during his stint in the State Bank of India, he gave it to poor people,” said Baskaran.
Zafar Iqbal, also a Padma Shri awardee, said: “He was very accurate and sharp with the passes and a good human being. He played every match with equal passion and was very jovial off the field.” Another junior teammate, Sujit Kumar, said Ravinder Pal Singh loved movies and music. Olympian Ashok Kumar Dhyanchand said Ravinder Pal’s death was a great loss of Indian hockey.
“I remember when I decided to bid adieu to international hockey, many players, including Ravinder Pal, were getting ready to play for the Indian team and carry forward our legacy,” he added. “Though he is no longer with us, the memory of Moscow Olympics matches is still fresh in my mind,” he said.
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association (UPOA) and Hockey UP also condoled the death of hockey veteran. Secretary general of UPOA Anandeshwar Pandey said Pal played an important role in Indian hockey and his death was a big loss to the sport.
UPOA president Viraj Sagar Das termed it to be “an irreparable loss to the sporting world”. UP sports director RP Singh said Ravinder Pal was a role model for hockey players and was always ready to promote hockey.
He also played in all major tournaments including Karachi Champions Trophy (1980 & 1983), Silver Jubilee 10-Nation Cup (Hong Kong, 1983), World Cup (Mumbai, 1982), Asia Cup (Karachi, 1982), the India-Pakistan Test series in 1981 and the Malaysian quadrangular series in 1980. He also played in 1979 Junior World Cup.
Union min Kiren Rijiju condoles death: Expressing grief over the death of veteran hockey player, Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju tweeted: “I’m deeply saddened to learn that Shri Ravinder Pal Singh ji has lost the battle to Covid19. With his death, India loses a golden member of the hockey team that won gold in the 1980 Moscow Olympics. His contribution to Indian sports will always be remembered.”