RIP APJ Abdul Kalam: Indian sports personalities pay tribute to former President

New Delhi: The Indian sports fraternity joined the nation in mourning the death of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, saying it was a great loss to the nation that the inspirational leader is no more.

83-year-old Kalam, who was President from 2002 to 2007, collapsed during an interaction with IIM students and was declared brought dead by the doctors.

Players from all sports remembered Kalam as an inspirational leader. "The nation mourns the loss of a great person. Former President of India, a renowned scientist, an inspiration to all, a terrific human being, RIP Abdul Kalam," star cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said.

Ace tennis player Sania Mirza took to twitter to pay her respect to the departed soul. "What a sad day this has been ?? #RIPKalam #GurdaspurAttack," Sania, the world number one, tweeted.

Badminton player Jwala Gutta also wrote on her twitter page. "You had won everyone's Heart Sir. #RIPKalamSahab. It's a great loss to the Nation," Gutta wrote.

Karun Chandhok, only one of the two Indian racers who reached the level of F1, wrote, "Just heard the sad news that our former President Abdul Kalam passed away... A brilliant scientist and truly inspirational leader #RIP"

Indian Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna also wrote on his twitter page to pay his tribute to Kalam. "Really sad to hear about the passing away of our former president Dr.Abdul Kalam. #RIP," read his tweet.

BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur said," @APJAbdulKalam 's life and work will inspire generations of thinkers, scientists & leaders."

In another tweet, Thakur wrote,"'People's President' @APJAbdulKalam was an inspiration, intellectual & incredible human being. We have lost a great Indian today. RIP."

Former cricket captain Bishan Singh Bedi tweeted, "Arguably India's Greatest President APJ Abdul Kalam moves on ever so quietly..just the way he lived, with utmost Simplicity & Humility!!"

Cricketer S Sreesanth, who was recently exonerated from all spot-fixing charges, chose to tweet Kalam's words in his tweet as a mark of respect. "If u want to shine like sun,  burn like sun" famous words by Dr APJ Abdul Kalam."

"Very sad day for india...deeply Saddened hearing the news at the sudden demise of Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam .surly the real Ratna."