Shillong, Apr 17: A Tamil Nadu paddler who was on his way to Shillong to take part in the 83rd Senior National Table Tennis Championship died in a car accident while on the way from Guwahati.
Deenadayalan Vishwa and three other Tamil Nadu players were on their way in a tourist taxi from Guwahati to Shillong today when the vehicle they were travelling in met with an accident in Shangbangla, Ri-Bhoi.
The other three were identified by Sportstar as R Santosh Kumar, D Kishore Kumar and S Abhinash Prasannaji. The driver of the taxi, Dipal Das, also died in the accident.
At around 1:50PM, a 12-wheel truck crossed the divider from the opposite direction and hit the taxi. Tragically, Vishwa died on the way to Nongpoh Civil Hospital. The other three were rushed from Nongpoh to NEIGRIHMS, Shillong. They are in a stable condition, doctors inform, and out of danger.
Vishwa’s father and other family members will travel to Nongpoh to collect the body of their loved one tomorrow.
Two members of the Meghalaya Table Tennis Association are stationed in Nongpoh to ensure the completion of all formalities and will receive the family members at Guwahati Airport tomorrow. The district administration of Ri-Bhoi is also facilitating the process of returning the body to Chennai.
An MTTA press release said, “On behalf of the entire MTTA family, the association’s Vice-President Bruce P Marak and General Secretary Chiranjib Choudhury, expressed condolences on the demise of Vishwa, an extremely gifted and promising table tennis player. The teenager had won several junior, sub-junior and cadet titles in the country and abroad over a short but wonderful career and his demise is a huge blow to the sport in India. May his soul rest in peace.”
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, who is the chief patron of this edition of the table tennis championship, said on social media, “With big dreams at such a young age, Deenadayalan had his whole life ahead of him. I extend my deepest condolences to his family.” He also paid his condolences to the family of the taxi driver.
Meghalaya State Olympic Association Working President John F Kharshiing also extended condolences to the bereaved family. “May the Almighty give them peace and strength during this time of grief. May Vishwa rest in peace,” he said.
