Kabaddi player-coach Devi Dyal dies at 76

Our Correspondent

Ludhiana, January 16

Former District Sports Officer and captain of the national kabaddi team, Devi Dyal (76), passed away after a brief illness today. He is survived by a daughter.

Devi Dyal, a resident of Kubbe village near Neelon Bridge on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road, dominated the sport for over five decades as a player, coach and an organiser.

He began his career as a sprinter before switching to kabaddi. He opened a kabaddi academy at his village in the memory of his son Alankar (Tony), who died due to cancer at the age of 19. The academy provides free coaching, boarding and lodging to aspiring kabaddi players.

Devi Dyal promoted the sport across the globe on numerous occasions in the twin roles of a player and coach.

The sports fraternity is mourning the death of the kabaddi star.

Teja Singh Dhaliwal, honorary general secretary of Punjab Basketball Association, and Balraj Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, Punjab Swimming Association, said Devi Dyal was a player par excellence.

Punjab Kabaddi Association chairman Gurmail Singh Pehalwan and others expressed shock over his demise. “His incomparable contribution towards the game would be remembered for decades,” he said.

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