Rich tributes paid to Buwa Salvi

Pune, Feb 17 (UNI) Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president Suresh Kalmadi has condoled the death of kabaddi doyen Buwa Salvi saying Indian sports has lost a staunch pillar in the passing away of Shankarrao alias Bua Salvi.

''It is an irreparable loss to Indian sports. Buwa Salvi was not only the architect of kabaddi but also a friend, philosopher and guide to many players,'' Mr Kalmadi said.

Athletic Federation of India (AFI) joint secretary Pralhad Sawant, a close associate of Buwa Salvi, said from Guwahati, where he is attending the 33rd National Games, that the most appropriate tribute to Buwa Salvi will be to ensure that kabaddi finds inclusion in future Olympic Games.

Buwa was an administrator and organiser par excellence, Mr Sawant said.

Kabaddi Federation of India (KFI) president Janardhan Gehlot, who is also in Guwahati for the National Games, had also recalled the contributions of Buwa Salvi after the Maharashtra women's team won the kabaddi gold yesterday, Mr Sawant informed.

Arjuna awardees Shantaram Jadhav and Ms Shakuntala Khataukar, coach Fida Husain Quereshi, Chhatrapati awardees Manisha Ghate, Ashok Kondre, Rajendra Deshmukh, and Mahesh Medekar also paid rich tributes to the memory of Buwa Salvi.

UNI