National Games organizers condole Babu's death
Organizers of the 34th National Games today condoled the demise of Olympian Suresh Babu who died of liver cirrhosis on Saturday.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: February 19, 2011 06:19 PM IST
Organizers of the 34th National Games today condoled the demise of Olympian Suresh Babu who died of liver cirrhosis here on Saturday.
The Jharkhand Olympic Association described him as a champion athlete. Babu brought laurels for the country, including the Asian Games gold in Munich 1978, in a career spanning 1970-80.
JOA President R K Anand said they deeply condole the unfortunate death of Suresh Babu.
"It's very sad to announce that Olympian Suresh Babu is no more with us. We offer deep condolences," Anand said, announcing that all cultural programmes at the Games Village have been called off, while a minute's silence during the competitions will be observed at all the venues of the Games.
Anand said the JOA was trying arrange a flight for taking his body to Kerala.
"We have informed all the officials including the Chief Minister of Kerala. We are arranging for a flight to send his body as quickly as possible," he said.
Anand said Suresh Babu was rushed to the hospital in a clinically dead condition.
"He vomitted blood after having his morning juice around 8.15 am. After hearing this we rushed him to RIMS. He was taken there in a clinically dead condition. Doctors tried their best and put him on life support. But he was declared dead around 11.30am," Anand told reporters.
He further said Babu had fainted at the Games Village last evening.
"He fainted but there was nothing to worry about at that time as he went around the Khel Gaon," Anand said. The JOA president described the 58-year-old as a lively person, who was totally committed to the sport.