Kishan Lal - Death

Death

Hockey circles were plunged in grief when “Dada”, as he was fondly addressed, died on 22 June 1980. He was in Madras as an invitee for the Murruguppa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament and was to be the expert commentator for the Doordarshan coverage of the second leg final scheduled for the very day. The Western Railway players and officials and all other hockey players and hockey Associations all over the country gave the departed Hockey star the honors that was due to him in their own touching ways. On 23 June 1980, touching scenes were witnessed at his residence in Bombay as sportsmen, officials of various organizations and sports writers paid their last respects to him. He was cremated at the Sion Crematorium in Bombay. There was a regular flow of Sports fans since the 22nd June at his place where his body lay after being flown down from Madras. The most moving sight was that of the Muruguppa Gold Cup Hockey Tournament Secretary Mr K.R Subramaniam who accompanied the body from Madras To what extent Madras respected the former star was evident when Mr K R Subramanian and Mr Reddy laid the garlands on the body of the deceased. Mr K R Subramanian said about “Dada” that he was amongst the most respected sportsman in the country, that he was a regular invitee to the Murruguppa Tournament since the last 7years. Former president of the IHF, MAM Ramaswamy expressed great shock and described him as one of the finest gentlemen he had come across. He said his death is a great loss to Indian Hockey, particularly as a coach and that he produced good players for the Railways. Former Olympian R S Gentle, on his death said ”besides being the greatest right winger I have ever seen, he was a gentleman player and a coach of outstanding merit”. Gurbux Singh, another Olympian said “Railways in particular have been orphaned”. Joe Antic said “there will never be another”. Similar sentiments were expressed by leading officials including the Bombay Hockey Association President, Mr Baptist D’Souza and the President of the Maharastra State Olympic Association, Mr Magan Singh.