Veteran official L. Venkatram Reddy passes away

Hyderabad: One of the longest serving sports administrators in the country and among the most respected, L. Venkatram Reddy, passed away at a private hospital here on Friday evening. He was 83 and is survived by three sons and a daughter.

The Andhra Pradesh Olympic Association (APOA) is making arrangements to keep his body at the AP Olympic Bhavan at Lal Bahadur Stadium from 9.30 to 11 am on Saturday for the public to pay their last respects. Funeral procession will start from his residence in Vittalwadi at 12 noon to the Amberpet crematorium.

A man whose life was dedicated to sports in general and volleyball in particular, Bhai Saab, as Venkatram Reddy was fondly called, served in various posts.

Among the long stints he held included that of secretary of APOA for 31 years; secretary of Andhra Pradesh Volleyball Association for over four decades; Director of Sports of Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (now GHMC) besides being a mentor-advisor to a record 56 associations representing various disciplines.

As an administrator, he was instrumental for getting a permanent land and building for the Andhra Pradesh Olympic Bhavan from the State Government.

LVR also played a significant role in many sportspersons getting employment in various departments and spheres. Additionally, it was at his insistence that several sportspersons and coaches could secure jobs in the MCH under sports quota.

As the Director of Sports, he conceptualised and promoted summer camps, which today are a major feature on MCH’s annual calendar.

LVR was associated with the Exhibition Society, Reddy Hostel, Osmania University Graduates Association and served as technical advisor and guide for organising various sports and games besides editing Limelight, the newsletter of the APOA.

APOA president L. Rajagopal, general secretary K. Jagadishwer Yadav and other office-bearers and executive members of the APOA, V. Ravikanth Reddy, general secretary of APVA and almost all state sports Associations expressed shock at LVR’s demise.

“The architect of the Olympic Bhavan, the pioneer of Olympic Day Run from all corners of the city and district headquarters, he was the soul behind all of them,” said B.K. Harnath, president of Hyderabad Carrom Association.

Prof. Rajesh Kumar, former national athlete and current secretary of the Hyderabad District Athletics Assocaition, also condoled LVR’s death.

“The Andhra Pradesh Athletics Association expresses heartfelt condolences to the family members. His services to sports in the State will be remembered for a long time,” B.E. Stanley Jones said.

“On behalf of all the office bearers of Andhra Pradesh Table Tennis Association, and the players, I extend condolences,” S.M. Sultan, secretary of APTTA?and associate vice-president of the Table Tennis Federation of India, said.