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MonteCarloThe IAAF is deeply saddened to receive the news that Sardar Umrao Singh, President of Athletics Federation of India, passed away early today, Sunday (12), in Jalandhar, India, after a brief illness.
Sardar Umrao Singh was the Founder-President of Asian Athletics Association and a senior functionary of the Indian Olympic Association.
A former member of the IAAF Council (1972-1976), recipient of the IAAF Veteran's Pin in 1976, and a member of the IAAF Veteran's Committee (1995-1999), Singh also made a mighty contribution towards the successful conduct of the Asian Games at New Delhi in 1982.
Elected to the Legislative Assembly of Punjab State and the Indian Parliament, he also served as minister in his home state with the Congress Party.
Singh was AFI President twice and has been associated with the national athletics body in various capacities for nearly 50 years!
Current Indian IAAF Council Member Suresh Kalmadi, President of the Asian Athletics Association, said ''it is a personal loss to me as Mr Singh had always been a guiding force behind putting Indian athletics on an international platform during his two terms in the office as the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) President.”
“The sport of athletics in India and Asia as a whole has particularly suffered a severe blow with the loss today of the spirit, drive and enthusiasm of Sardar Umrao Singh,” commented IAAF President Lamine Diack, “a former partner in the promotion of our sport on the highest international stage, the worldwide athletics family mourns his sudden passing.”
Singh (82) is survived by his wife, a son and three daughters.
IAAF