- Tuesday, April 23, 2024
By: Shubham Ghosh
NANDU Natekar, one of the greatest badminton players India has produced, passed away in Pune in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Wednesday (28) after suffering from age-related ailments. He was 88 and is survived by his son Gaurav Natekar, a former national champion in tennis who also played in the Davis Cup, and two daughters.
Natekar, whose on-court grace was often compared to a ballet dancer, won over 100 national and international titles in his career that spanned over 15 years. He was the first Indian to win a title overseas in 1956. He also won the men’s singles and doubles national championships six times and the mixed doubles national championship five times.
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He was the director of Natekar Sports and Fitness in Pune.
Born in Sangli in Maharashtra on May 12, 1933, Natekar had played tennis in his career initially and even made the junior national finals against the game’s legend Ramanathan Krishnan. However, a loss in the 1951-52 junior national final to Krishnan saw Natekar shifting to badminton.
He made his India debut at 20 and went on to lead his country in the Thomas Cup men’s team championship for more than a decade between 1951 and 1963. He was the recipient of the first Arjuna Award in 1961 and his artistry with the racquet mesmerised his opponents with the deception skills and perfect stroke-making.
Natekar created history in 1956 when he won the Selangor International title in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. In 1962, he won the mixed doubles crown in Kings Cup International in Bangkok, Thailand, with Meena Shah. A year later, he won the singles title at the same tournament.
Natekar, a former world No.3, represented India at the 1965 Commonwealth Games in Jamaica. He also reached the quarter-finals of his only All England appearance in 1954. In 1980 and 1981, Natekar won the veterans’ event of the competition in the doubles category. Natekar later also tried golf but health issues did not allow him to continue with the sport.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi condoled Natekar’s death on Wednesday on Twitter by saying, “Shri Nandu Natekar has a special place in India’s sporting history. He was an outstanding badminton player and a great mentor. His success continues to motivate budding athletes. Saddened by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti.”
Shri Nandu Natekar has a special place in India’s sporting history. He was an outstanding badminton player and a great mentor. His success continues to motivate budding athletes. Saddened by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 28, 2021
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also paid tribute to the later badminton champion. “One of the towering icons of Indian badminton, Nandu Natekar leaves behind a rich legacy, that we shall cherish forever. 6-time national champion & first Indian to win an international title in 1956, Natekar shall be remembered fondly for his drives, drops & smashes. Condolences,” he added.
