Indian hockey icon Ammanda S Uthaiah from Kodagu passes away at the age 82

Late Ammanda S Uthaiah (Vasu). File Photo

Bengaluru: Renowned international hockey player from Kodagu Ammanda S Uthaiah (Vasu), aged 82, passed away on Thursday, February 1, due to health complications at a private hospital in Bengaluru.

Mr Uthaiah, son of Ammanda Subbaiah and Chondavva, was born in Kadangamarur village in Kodagu. After completing his education at Kakotuparambu and Virajpet, he joined the M.E.G. in 1961. 

Prioritizing discipline, he played for M.E.G for several years and made his debut in the Indian team in 1969. He has played several test matches on behalf of the Indian team in Kenya, Pakistan, Britain, and Singapore.

In 1970, he was part of the Indian hockey team that won silver medal at the Bangkok Asian Games. He captained the Karnataka hockey team twice. According to another Indian hockey player B.P. Govinda, if  Mr Uthaiah had been in Punjab, he would surely have played three Olympics. He prioritized discipline and was a winner in all matches that India played.

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Mr Uthaiah made a lot of name as a defensive player. In recognition of his achievements in hockey, he was awarded the Dussehra Award and won the Silver Jubilee Award of Karnataka.

“It is a blessing that such an artistic player was born in Kodagu. He did not seek publicity anywhere and did not appear on any platform. Today we lost the gentle hockey wizard of Kodagu. May his soul rest in peace and may God bless his family and fans with the strength to bear this loss. As per his dream, let a lot of hockey players grow in Kodagu, and let more tournaments be held in Kodagu,” said Cheppudira Kariappa from Gonikoppal. 

Mr Uthaiah is father of Subbaiah and Palecanda Liviya, resident of Maruthi Sevanagar, in Bengaluru. According to Kodavaame, cremation will be held at Kallahalli Crematorium, in Bengaluru on 2 February  at 4 PM.

(With Inputs from Cheppudira Kariappa)