The tragic death of India's cycling coach Ruma Chatterjee in a road accident on the Noida Expressway on Tuesday morning has come as a major setback for the national team that was preparing for the World Championships.
Ruma, who hails from Kolkata, was hit by a speeding vehicle while she was training with the junior cyclists. The 51-year-old was taken to the nearby Kailash Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. Ruma, a spinster, leaves behind her 77-year-old mother andu00a0five sisters.
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Besides representing India thrice in international competitions, she served as coach seven times and was part of the national team since the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Ruma, a strict disciplinarian, was popular among her wards. It was under her tutelage that India produced their best ever show in the Asian Championships, winning four medals here in March. Deborah bagged three medals while another teenager Manorama Devi won a silver.
Cycling Federation of India secretary general Onkar Singh paid rich tributes to the coach. Onkar Singh said Ruma had worked hard to develop a close relationship with the juniors.