Former ace athelete Suresh Babu dies in Ranchi

RANCHI - Former ace national athelete Suresh Babu, current manager of the Kerala team at the 34th National Games, died in a hospital here Saturday.

Babu (58) was admitted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) here after falling sick and vomiting Saturday morning, according to officials.

Babu was suffering from liver problems.

Babu won the long jump gold medal in the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok and was conferred with the 1978-79 Arjuna Award.

A national champion in long jump, triple jump, high jump and decathlon for long, Babu also achieved the rare distinction of winning medals in two different events in two successive Asian Games.

Before the Bangkok gold in long jump, Babu had won bronze in decathlon in the Tehran Asian Games in 1974.

Jharkhand Governor M.O.H. Farook expressed condolences over the death of Suresh Babu.

The Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) also has expressed grief over Babu’s death.

“We are very sad over Suresh Babu’s death. We did our best, but he died during the course of the treatment,” JOA president R.K. Ananad told reporters.

Babu’s body will be taken to Kerala where his last rites will be performed.

–Indo-Asia News Service