Leslie Claudius Passes Away

One of the greatest sports legends of India, Leslie Walter Claudius, passed away on Thursday in Kolkata. He was suffering from cirrhosis of liver for last couple of years. He was 85.

Leslie Walter Claudius

Triple Olympic hockey gold winner, Leslie Caludius was an integral member of the golden years of Indian hockey. This legendary midfielder had won three Olympic gold medals as Indian Hockey team emerged champion in London (1948), Helsinki (1952) and Melbourne (1956). He was the captain of the Indian team to Rome Olympics where India received silver.

He was the team manager for the 1974 and 1978 Asian Games and was also a national selector for a few years.

Claudius was born March 25, 1927 in Bilaspur. In 1971 he was honoured with the prestigious Padmashri award. The organizers of London Olympics 2012 honoured Leslie Claudius by naming one of the London tube stations after him.

He was perhaps not only India’s but Hockey’s best ever seen right half player.

May his soul in peace.

• About the Author

About Sprightly Spirit

“I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares more is none”. And all, may be. It may be the vigor. Or the spirit. Or the courage to avoid being “politically correct” or bent. And, ban all averse with immaculate overture of graciously fathomable words firm in views. Subtle. Justifying the undying conscience. Values. Knowledge. And, dares to stay true. True to own. True to the world. And, to the words. With a dream in eyes it exists. In you. In me. In all. The sprite that never shies away. The spirit that never dies!