India on Saturday lost two of its most revered hockey stars, Ravinder Pal Singh and MK Kaushik, both members of the 1980 Moscow Olympics winning side, to Covid-19.
While the 60-year-old Singh succumbed to the dreaded disease in Lucknow in the morning after battling for nearly two weeks, Kaushik died after failing to recover from the ailment in the capital.
Kaushik, who guided the Indian men’s team to the 1998 Asian Games gold medal in Bangkok, was 66 and is survived by his son and wife. He had tested positive on April 17 and was admitted to a nursing home here.
“He was put on ventilator this (Saturday) morning but passed away,” Kaushik’s son Ehsan said.
Kaushik had first developed symptoms last month but RT-PCR and RAT tests returned negative. He was hospitalised after a CT scan on his chest on April 24 detected Covid-19 pneumonia. Since then his condition was neither stable nor serious. His oxygen level dropped drastically at night in the last few days.
“I’m numb with pain & shock with the passing away of MK.Kaushik sir. He inspired many generations of hockey players, first as a player & then a coach. A fine winger and a finer coach, he will always live in our memories. Bangkok Asian Games Gold medalist Coach,” Dhanraj Pillay tweeted.
The former India hockey captain also paid his tribute to Singh. “Shocked to hear about the passing away of Ravinder Pal Singh Sir. A 1980 Moscow Olympics hero, he will forever be remembered for his invaluable contribution to Hockey as a finest player .May his soul rest in peace Om Shanti,” Pillay wrote.
India women’s captain Rani Rampal also mourned the death of Kaushik, who was the team’s coach when she made her debut for the national side.
“This is really a heartbreaking moment for me, have lost our former coach Olympian MK Kaushik Sir who coached us during my debut in the national team,” she tweeted.
Under Kaushik’s coaching, the women’s team won bronze medal at the Doha Asian Games in 2006. He was awarded the Arjuna Award in 1998, before being bestowed with the Dronacharya award in 2002.
Earlier in the day, Singh died after spending two weeks at Vivekananda Hospital in Lucknow. According to family sources, Singh had recovered from the virus and was shifted to the non-Covid ward on Thursday after testing negative.
But his condition deteriorated on Friday and he was put on a ventilator. Singh, who also played at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, wasn’t married and is survived by a niece.
Hockey India mourned his untimely demise. “Hockey India extends its deepest condolences to Ravinder Pal Singh’s family. Ravinder made an immense contribution to Indian hockey and his achievements will always be remembered. May Ravinder’s family and friends have the strength to pass through this difficult time,” Hockey India president Gyanendro Ningombam said.
