Departed starter Karunakar fondly remembered in athletics circles

Venkat Karunakar

Venkat Karunakar, Chief Starter at the ninth Asian Games at Delhi in 1982 as well as the Asian Track & Field meet and SAF Games, passed away in Andheri on Saturday at the age of 87. Karunakar was a popular figure in athletics and served as joint secretary of the Greater Bombay athletics body along with 1972 Olympics runner Eddie Sequeira. "Karunakar was an able administrator, hardworking and always cheerful. I will miss him," Sequiera remarked at Karunakar's residence on Sunday.

Also Read: Chameera to replace injured SL pacer Lahiru

Adille Sumariwalla, the Athletics Federation of India chief, who knew Karunakar for 50 years, remembered him as a soft spoken and kind starter. "The start is most crucial for a runner and we had 100 per cent confidence in Venkat. He was a stickler for rules and you could be assured of absolute precision with him as a starter. He went about his duties efficiently and never had anything ill to say about anybody," said Sumariwalla.