Adityan`s death a great loss to Indian Sports: IOA

New Delhi: The IOC-recognised Indian Olympic Association on Saturday condoled the death of its former President B Sivanthi Adityan, saying the country has lost an able sports administrator.

"The sporting fraternity will miss his guidance," IOA acting-President Vijay Kumar Malhotra said in a condolence message. "I have lost a personal friend whose advise I always valued," Malhotra added. Adityan, who was also the president of the Volleyball Federation of India, died in Chennai yesterday after prolonged illness. He is survived by wife, a son and a daughter. Malhotra recalled his old association with Adityan saying the former IOA chief was always keen to help the sportspersons and wanted India to emerge as a force in the International arena. He constructed a state-of-the art indoor volleyball stadium in the Adithanar College, Tiruchendur, where the Indian team used to practise. "I pray to God to give his family the strength to bear this loss and may he rest in peace," Malhotra said. PTI