SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 25: BSP Rai, President of the Dhanbad District Badminton Association (DDBA) and former Executive President of the Jharkhand Badminton Association (JBA), passed away on Tuesday night while being taken to Kolkata for medical treatment.
The 82-year-old, who retired as Joint Commissioner of Commercial Taxes in undivided Bihar in 1998, leaves behind four daughters. His youngest daughter, Nitu Singh, performed the last rites at Khudia River Burning Ghat.
According to his daughters, Sangeeta Singh and Silpi Singh, Rai had been feeling unwell after vomiting earlier in the evening. Despite his doctor daughter, Soma Singh, accompanying him to Kolkata, he succumbed to cardiac arrest during the journey.
Legacy of a dedicated sports administrator
BSP Rai served as President of DDBA from 1990 until his passing in 2024 and held the position of Executive President of the Jharkhand State Badminton Association (JSBA) from 2006 to 2011.
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Indrajit Singh, a retired senior journalist with close ties to Rai, described him as a dedicated sports administrator who played a key role in the development of games and athletes.
His significant contribution included the establishment of the Dhanbad Indoor Stadium, a testament to his efforts in promoting badminton in the region.
Rai’s vision for Jharkhand badminton
In a 2006 interview with this correspondent, BSP Rai expressed his ambition to elevate Jharkhand’s badminton scene. When asked about his goals after becoming Executive President of the state association, he replied that everyone has a mission to make life successful and his mission is to make badminton in Jharkhand successful.
Rai’s dedication to the sport and its growth in the state was a hallmark of his long-standing career.
State and district badminton associations mourn the loss
The Jharkhand Badminton Association (JBA) expressed deep sorrow over the passing of BSP Rai.
K Prabhakar Rao, the state secretary and Joint Secretary of the All-India Badminton Association, along with his role as Chairman of Indian Paralympic Badminton, shared his grief, remembering Rai as a committed sports administrator who guided the game on the right path.
DDBA Vice President Rakesh Tiwari, Secretary Samrat Choudhary, Joint Secretary Riyaz Khan, Dr. Sanjay, Dr. Rakesh Inder Singh, and coach Sandeep Dey also expressed their condolences.
Samrat Choudhary said that DDBA has lost its guardian and mentor who always stood for the association’s welfare.
