Ace para-badminton player dies of COVID-19

"We are sorry to inform you that Ramesh Tikaram passed away this afternoon..." Sudhir said in a statement. Talking to PTI, he said the 51-year-old player, who had fever and cough, was admitted to a private hospital on June 29.

Bengaluru, July 16 (PTI): Arjuna awardee and ace para-badminton player Ramesh Tikaram died of coronavirus in a hospital here on Thursday, Para-Badminton India president N C Sudhir said. "We are sorry to inform you that Ramesh Tikaram passed away this afternoon..." Sudhir said in a statement.

Talking to PTI, he said the 51-year-old player, who had fever and cough, was admitted to a private hospital on June 29. The player is survived by wife and two children, said Sudhir.

One of the sportsman's friend K Y Venkatesh said Tikaram was instrumental in bringing the international para- badminton tournament to the country in 2001..