Janardan Singh Gehlot passes away at 77; India stars hail his contribution to kabaddi

JS Gehlot

International Kabaddi Federation's (IKF) founder and president Janardan Singh Gehlot, 77, passed away after a prolonged illness in Jaipur on Wednesday. Gehlot, who served the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) as its president for 28 years till 2013, was also the current vice president of the Indian Olympic Association.

India's 2007 World Cup-winning captain Pankaj Shirsat paid tribute to the veteran kabaddi administrator, saying it won't be easy for others to emulate his good work.
"Gehlot's contribution to international kabaddi was immense. In his absence, it will be a big challenge for the others to maintain the level of efficiency," Shirsat told mid-day on Wednesday. At the national level too, Gehlot did a lot, said Shirsat. "After [Sharad] Pawar [AKFI's founder president], who initiated things, it is Gehlot, who worked very hard for the betterment of the sport in India," Shirsat added.

India's leading kabaddi players Anup Kumar, Ajay Thakur and Rahul Chaudhari also expressed their grief via social media. "This is a huge loss for kabaddi," Thakur wrote on Twitter. "Will always be thankful for your contribution in transforming the sport of kabaddi for the world," Chaudhari wrote on Instagram.