Umpire Thakur dies due to COVID-related complications

Former international umpire Suresh Kumar Thakur has died due to COVID-19-related complications, Hockey India said on Saturday.He was 51 and passed away on Friday in Mohali. We at Hockey India extend our deepest condolences to Sureshs family members and hope that they can pass through this difficult time, he added.

Former international umpire Suresh Kumar Thakur has died due to COVID-19-related complications, Hockey India said on Saturday.

He was 51 and passed away on Friday in Mohali. Thakur had officiated in several international tournaments including the Four Nation Tournament in Hamburg (Germany) and the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament at Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. He also officiated in the Hockey India League in 2013 and 2014.

''Suresh Kumar Thakur was a well-known umpire in the international circuit and he will be sorely missed on the hockey pitch,'' Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said in a release.

''He officiated in many international competitions and added his magic in each of the matches he umpired in. We at Hockey India extend our deepest condolences to Suresh's family members and hope that they can pass through this difficult time,'' he added.