P T Usha’s husband Sreenivasan passes away

Legendary athlete P T Usha’s husband V Sreenivasan passed away in the early hours of Friday due to a heart attack. A dedicated sports administrator and former national Kabaddi player, his demise has come as a profound shock and an irreplaceable loss to the sporting community.

Srinivasan collapsed at his residence early this morning. Although he was rushed immediately to a nearby hospital, he could not be revived, the sources said.

Sreenivasan was the son of Narayanan and Sarojini of the Vengali tharavad in Kuttikkad, Ponnani. A retired deputy SP with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), he married his distant relative, PT Usha, in 1991. They have a son, Dr Ujjwal Vignesh. Funeral timings have not been decided yet.

A former central government employee, the 64-year-old Srinivasan was a constant presence by Usha’s side throughout her illustrious sporting and political career. He was widely regarded as her pillar of support and the driving force behind her many professional milestones.

IN HAPPIER TIMES: P T Usha and Sreenivasan

He was a pillar of strength at the Usha School of Athletics, where he served as treasurer and was closely associated with the institution from its inception. Sreenivasan played a vital role in shaping the school’s growth, offering steadfast support, guidance, and encouragement over the years.

A former national Kabaddi player, he carried forward a lifelong commitment to sports and excellence. His passion for athletics extended well beyond competition, reflected in his tireless efforts to nurture young talent at the Usha School of Athletics.

Known for his supportive nature and quiet leadership, V Sreenivasan was deeply respected and fondly remembered. His sudden passing is a great loss that leaves a lasting void.

He will be deeply mourned by the Usha School of Athletics community, along with his friends, associates, and well-wishers.

PT Usha was appointed as the first woman president of the IOA in 2022. Apart from being the first woman president of the IOA in its 95-year history, PT Usha is also the first Olympian to be appointed as IOA president.

Usha is one of India’s most successful track-and-field athletes. She won four gold medals and seven silver medals at the Asian Games. She, however, missed out on an Olympic medal at the Los Angeles 1984 by a fraction of a second. Her timing of 55.42s in the women’s 400m hurdles at the Los Angeles Games still stands as India’s national record.

Under Usha’s leadership, India will be hosting the Centenary Commonwealth Games (CWG) in 2030 in Ahmedabad, marking the second time the country hosts this major multi-sport event.