SAAP coach Sudhakar Reddy dies in Poland

Nellore: Former state champion from Andhra Pradesh who is currently working in Nellore as coach in SAAP Academy, Gujjala Sudhakar Reddy, died suddenly on Monday evening due to cardiac arrest at Spodek in Katowice, Poland. He is part of the Indian Masters Team participating at the Badminton World Federation World Masters Championship in Poland where the tournament has been scheduled from August 4 to 11.

Sources said he had played two matches successfully and went to the room where he experienced a massive heart attack due to age-related stress. He was alone in the accommodation and collapsed suddenly and the organisers came to know about it after some time. He had won the silver medal in the Badminton Masters National and a bronze in mixed doubles in 55+ category. Guru of Srikanth Kidambi and many others have been coached by him.

His wife, Savitri, is working as the physical director in Singareni Women's College in Kothagudem and she started immediately for receiving the body of Sudhakar Reddy from Spodek as authorities reportedly were not willing to hand over the body to other than the spouse.

Sudhakar Reddy is from Guntur district and had spent his time mostly in Khammam district where Kidambi Srikanth and others were trained.

Sudhakar Reddy worked there as a senior coach till the State bifurcation and transferred to Nellore afterwards. He has students from across Telugu states and is known for his humble nature and simplicity.

His friends, relatives and sports personnel are trying to bring his dead body to Guntur for final rites. Local officials at the academy, students, and others paid rich tributes on Tuesday soon after knowing his sudden demise.