PANAJI
When Yogender Singh Dahiya, 42, arrived here in Goa about two weeks ago to be part and oversee the organisation of the 35th Senior National Sepak Takraw Championship which concluded at the Navelim indoor stadium last Monday, little did he know he wouldn't go back to his home in Nangloi, Delhi.
In the wee hours of Tuesday, a fuel tanker driver lost control, jumped over the road divider of the national highway near Goa Medical College at Bambolim crashed onto an oncoming car, killing both its occupants.
One of these two victims was Dahiya. The other was an international referee of the same sport, Ankit Baliyan.
Dahiya, dedicatedly promoted the acrobatic sport, sometimes described as volleyball played with the feet. He was a passionate leader of Sepak Takraw in the country, and more than just the president of the Sepak Takraw Federation of India -- he was the sport's heartbeat.
His tireless efforts helped bring the sport from obscurity into national recognition, especially among youth in northeastern and southern India. In April this year, the country won the World Cup in one of the categories when it was hosted in Bihar.
In addition to the senior nationals held at Navelim, he was in the State to also oversee a national training camp to prepare the Indian team for upcoming international competitions, which is what explains why he stayed on more than a week after the nationals concluded, said an official of the sport in Goa.
Athletes and officials say his warm demeanor, unwavering commitment, and ability to motivate players with his deep knowledge and love for the game was inspiring.
The sudden deaths of both Dahiya and Baliyan have left the Indian Sepak Takraw community in mourning and a profound setback for the sport in India. His loss is a major blow to the sport’s growth and future in the country.
