Pune: Maharashtra athletics lost its truest warrior as its General Secretary, Pralhad Sawant, passed away on Thursday following cardiac arrest. He was 69.
Sawant was founding member of India’s first and oldest running marathon, the Pune International Marathon, with which he became synonymous for many years now. Beginning his career as middle and long-distance athlete,
Sawant drifted into journalism and held the post of Sports Editor at Sakal wherein he covered seven Olympic Games and 9 Asian Games before becoming full-time sports administrator.
For over 40 years he served Maharashtra athletics, helped many athletes and published many books.He was awarded Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Award in 1990 for ‘best organiser’.
He was instrumental in getting Asian Championships, Asian Cross-Country and Grand Prix to Pune.
Following his untimely death, the Pune District Youth Athletics championship scheduled to start on Friday and been pushed by a day.
Sawant’s mortal remains will be kept at Marathon Bhavan from 9.30 am. The last rites will be performed at Vaikunth Crematorium.
