New Delhi: India's first Dronacharya awardee coach in boxing, O P Bhardwaj, passed away on Friday after battling prolonged illness.
The 82 year old was bestowed the highest national honour in coaching jointly with Bhalchandra Bhaskar Bhagwat (wrestling) and O M Nambiar (athletics), when it was introduced in 1985.
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) President Ajay Singh condoled his demise.
"O P Bharadwaj ji has been a flag-bearer for the sport of boxing. As a Coach, he inspired a generation of boxers, and coaches while as a selector, his work has been visionary and unparalleled," Singh said.
"I join my colleagues in the Boxing Federation of India to mourn this irreplaceable loss and pray for his eternal peace," he added.
Bhardwaj was India's national boxing coach from 1968 to 1989 and also served as a selector. Under his tutelage, Indian boxers won medals at the Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games and the South Asian Games. (UNI)