MUMBAI: Legendary badminton player Nandu Natekar, the first Indian to win an international title in 1956, died in Pune on Wednesday.
The 88-year-old, who won over 100 national and international titles in his career, was suffering from age-related ailments, PTI reports.
He is survived by his son Gaurav and two daughters.
“He passed away peacefully at home and we were all with him and he has been ailing for the last three months and he passed away peacefully,” Gaurav told PTI.
Natekar, who was considered one of most popular sportspersons of his time, was also a former World number three.
Born in Sangli in western Maharashtra, Natekar won over 100 national and international titles in a career spanning over 15 years. He was also conferred with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1961.
“With deepest sorrow, we would like to inform you that our beloved father Nandu Natekar passed away on 28th July, 2021,” The Natekar family said in a message.
“Keeping in mind the COVID-19 guidelines, we will not be having a condolence meeting. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”
In his distinguished career, Natekar made it to the quarterfinals of the prestigious All England Championships in 1954 and became the first Indian player to win an international event when he claimed the Sellanger International in Malaysia in 1956.
He was also won 12 out of the 16 singles matches and 8 out of 16 in doubles as part of the Indian team at the Thomas Cup between 1951 and 1963. He also had the distinction of leading the country in the tournament in 1959, 1961 and 1963.
He had also represented India at the 1965 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica.
Chief badminton national coach Pullela Gopichand described Natekar as a “true legend” of the game while Vimal Kumar credited him for his initiation to the sport.
“For us, he is a true legend in Indian badminton. He is someone who is well-respected and we have heard stories about him. He not only played badminton but tennis at the highest level.
“He belonged to that era, where he, along with Suresh Goel, Dinesh Khanna and Prakash Padukone, were up there,” Gopichand told PTI.
Former India coach Vimal Kumar said his father was a big fan of Natekar and that’s how he got into the sport. “My father was a big fan of him and in fact it was after he saw him during a national event at (then) Trivandrum that he put up an outside court at our house and that’s how I got initiated into badminton,” he said.
“I could only see him play when he won the veteran All England in the 1980s. He was as popular as the cricketers in the 50s and people used to line up to watch him play.”
Dipankar Bhattacharajee, who represented India in 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics, described him as a “Godfather of Indian badminton”.
“…I think even Prakash Sir used to draw inspiration from Nandu Natekar Sir. So, I mean, what you can say, he is the Godfather of Indian badminton,” he said.
“I didn’t see him play but the greatest moment of my life came when in one of the national ranking tournaments in Pune, Natekar Sir was the chief guest and he gave me the first prize, so that is one memorable moment for me.”
Badminton Association of India (BAI) president Himanta Biswa Sarma also offered condolences.
“One of the towering icons of Indian badminton, Nandu Natekar leaves behind a rich legacy, that we shall cherish forever. 6-time national champion & first Indian to win an international title in 1956, Natekar shall be remembered fondly for his drives, drops & smashes. Condolences,” Sarma said.
In his distinguished career, Natekar made it to the quarterfinals of the prestigious All England Championships in 1954 and became the first Indian player to win an international event when he claimed the Sellanger International title in Malaysia in 1956.
He won 12 of the 16 singles matches and eight of the 16 doubles games he played as part of the Indian team at the Thomas Cup between 1951 and 1963.
He also had the distinction of leading the country in the tournament in 1959, 1961 and 1963, besides representing India at the 1965 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica.
