PT Usha's Husband V Srinivasan Passes Away at 67, Leaves Legacy in Athletics
V Srinivasan, the husband of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) President and legendary athlete PT Usha, passed away in the early hours of Friday at the age of 67. The former Central Industrial Security Force inspector and university-level kabaddi player collapsed at his residence in Kozhikode and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors could not revive him.
Condolences Pour In from Political and Sporting Circles
PT Usha, who is also a Rajya Sabha MP, was in New Delhi attending a parliament session when the tragic incident occurred. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to a grieving Usha to convey his condolences on the demise of her husband. Kerala Governor Rajendra Arlekar expressed profound grief over Srinivasan's passing, highlighting his contributions to sports and society.
Srinivasan was widely recognized as a pillar of strength throughout Usha's distinguished sporting and political journey. He provided constant support during challenging times, including when Usha faced conflicts with IOA executive committee members.
The Guiding Force Behind Usha School of Athletics
While PT Usha served as the face and driving force of the Usha School of Athletics in Kinalur, Srinivasan played the crucial role of anchor, wearing multiple hats to support budding athletes. Officially the co-founder and treasurer, he unofficially served as coach, trainer, and counselor for numerous athletes over the years.
Tintu Luka, the Asian Games medallist and most famous alumni of the Usha School, expressed deep sorrow at Srinivasan's passing. "His passing away is a big loss for me," Tintu told The Indian Express. "He took care of me like I was his own daughter. I am sure other trainees of the Usha school will share the same sentiment."
A Father Figure to Women Athletes
Tintu Luka, who trained at the Usha School from 2002 to 2019, recalled how Srinivasan guided her when Usha could not travel for an inter-university meet in Chennai. "I set the inter-university record in the 400 metres and the 800 metres," Tintu remembered. "I cannot thank him enough for the way he guided me during that competition."
The athlete emphasized that Srinivasan maintained a positive demeanor regardless of circumstances. "Even if there was anything troubling him, he would never show it to the athletes. He would always smile and make sure we were calm and relaxed," she added.
Multifaceted Role in Athlete Development
Srinivasan's responsibilities extended far beyond typical administrative duties. He was involved in:
- Scheduling workout charts for athletes
- Ensuring dietary requirements were met
- Overseeing training sessions
- Providing spiritual support through temple visits
"He called my mother to double check about the time of birth and my birth star," Tintu revealed. "Before competitions he would visit temples and pray for us. I am emotional thinking about how he used to pray for us to win medals."
The Backbone of Usha's Endeavors
Tintu Luka described Srinivasan as "Usha chechi's backbone", emphasizing how he would take over coaching responsibilities whenever Usha had to travel. "He would guide us when we were doing our workouts, be it at the Usha school or before competitions," she said. "There was no assistant coach during my time at the Usha school. So it was either Usha chechi or Srinivasan sir who coached me right through."
Beyond athletic training, Srinivasan served as a listening ear and sounding board for young women athletes. "If we needed anything he was there for us," Tintu recalled. "I would tell him about anything that was worrying me and he always listened patiently and guided us."
Support During Professional Challenges
When PT Usha faced opposition from IOA executive committee members, Srinivasan made regular visits to Delhi to stand by her side. He once commented on his wife's resilience: "She is not someone who will back down or get bullied. Her strength is that she does not mince words. Sometimes, her frankness or direct way of talking can backfire but that is how she has always been."
PT Usha and V Srinivasan married in April 1991 in Kozhikode and have a son, Ujjwal, who works as a sports medicine specialist. The athletics community mourns the loss of a man who dedicated his life to supporting India's sporting excellence behind the scenes.
