Prof. Malhotra expressed grief over the death of Akhilesh Das Gupta

New Delhi, 12 April:  All India Council of Sports (AICS) president Vijay Kumar Malhotra today expressed grief over the demise of Badminton Association of India (BAI) chief Akhilesh Das Gupta at Lucknow.

The 56- year old Akhilesh Das Gupta died following cardiac arrest.

In his condolence message Prof. Malhotra said that he was shocked to learn about the untimely death of  Das Gupta."I knew him well and his death is a personal loss to me”

“His death is an irreparable loss to Indian Olympic Association and the BAI. He was a very dynamic sports administrator and had big plans for development of sports especially badminton in the country” He said

Gupta, who was Rajya Sabha member, become the BAI president in 2012 and was re-elected for a four-year term in 2014. He was also the vice-president of the Badminton Asia Confederation (BAC) . 

Prof. Malhotra fondly recalled his association with Gupta and said “India sports has lost a visionary and we will miss him dearly”

The AICS chief also pointed out that  it was under Gupta’s dynamic leadership that , India earned  the rights to host marquee BWF events like the 2014 Thomas/Uber Cup and the Super Series, while Syed Modi international was upgraded to a Grand Prix gold status.

Prof. Malhotra  also  referred to  the launch of  the  cash-rich  Premier Badminton League in 2015 and said  “Badminton in the country has lost mentor   and  the Olympic movement  a sincere and dedicated  person”

Press release