Mangalore, May 22: The fifty-two-year-old Anand Shetty, renowned athlete of Dakshina Kannada (DK) district who had bagged medals in ASIAD passed away on Tuesday May 22, owing to a ghastly road mishap here on Saturday May 19.
Thousands of people including political leaders and dignitaries paid their homage to Anand Shetty at Mangala stadium here on Tuesday.
Anand Shetty hailed from Mani in Bantwal taluk and was a key athlete for nearly 7 years. He was the center of attraction during national athletic meet held in Mangala stadium here during 1982 along with renowned athletes P T Usha, Vandana Rao and others. Anand bagged gold in 100 meters and 200 meters. The well wishers of Anand are saddened now, because at the same venue they had to bid adieu.
Kambala racer
Its indeed a challenging task to serve as buffalos handler during Kambla (heroic sport of buffalos race in undivided DK district). Anand is the only athlete who became an international athlete with the background as buffalo’s handler, reminisced his close friends.
Mentor – Narendra Kumar of Beltangady
Narendra Kumar, physical training instructor of SDM High School, Dharmasthala in Beltangady taluk was the mentor of Anand who was equally competent in Kabaddi and high-jump, besides sprinter. He had spotted the talent of Anand when the latter bagged fourth place in Dasara sports meet held in the city. He referred to Dr Veerendra Heggade, Dhamadikari of Sri Kshetra Dharmastala who readily agreed to bear his expenses.
Anand used to meet his mentor Narendra Kumar every time he won the medals and shared his happiness, says Narendra in agony.
The state ministers Ramanatha Rai and U T Khader, the former legislative assembly speaker N Yogish Bhat, athletes Vandana Shanbagh, bodybuilder Raymond Dsouza, Alvas Education Foundation chairman Dr M Mohan Alva, Sadanand Shetty, K Tejomaya and others paid their homage at the occasion.
