Hockey fraternity shocked with untimely death of Kanojiya
| Date :14-Aug-2020 |
Principal Correspondent ;
HOCKEY fraternity of the region is shocked with the untimely death of Dharamraj Kanojiya, a former national level umpire of Vidarbha Hockey Association. Kanojiya, a resident of Sadar and former employee of MECL, passed away on Wednesday due to COVID-19 at the age of 66. “Dharamraj was admitted to Indira Gandhi Government Medical College (Mayo) and Hospital last week. But he could not recover,” his brother-in-law Sunil Kanojiya told ‘The Hitavada’.
The last rites were performed at Ambazari ghat. Kanojiya leaves behind wife Bela, two daughters Shilpa and Alka, and son Shubham. He was 66. Shubham, who plays in Nagpur District Football Association’s Elite Division League for Rahul Sankrutyayan Sports Association said his father was fine till yesterday afternoon. “My father complained of breathlessness on Friday morning. We admitted him to IGGMCH and his COVID-19 reports came positive same night. “Yesterday he was fine and also asked us to shift him to other hospital. But I got a call at around 11 pm from hospital that my father’s oxygen level has dropped and he has suffered an attack. He could not be revived,” said Shubham who represented Maharashtra in Santosh Trophy last year.
VWHA secretary Yagya Singh was shocked to hear the sad demise of Kanojiya whom she knew since her playing days. “It a huge loss personally. I know Dharamraj ji since my childhood. He had been a great support for all of us while organising any women’s tournament. He was a very humble human being. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti,” Yagya posted on social media. VHA Administrator TN Sidhra also paid tributes to Kanojiya. “Dharamraj Kanojiya was dedicated hockey player and official. May his soul rest in peace. May God give strength to his family.” Kanojiya was a life member of Vidarbha Hockey Association and was executive committee member of the current body which is now being administered by Sidhra. Kanojiya was also the treasurer of Vidarbha Women’s Hockey Association (VWHA) and was incharge of Nagpur Athletic Club, one of the oldest hockey clubs of the city. He recently started Nagpur Sporting Club for budding hockey players of Sadar area. Kanojiya started his umpiring career in early 90s.
He was elevated to a national-level umpire by now defunct Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) in 1998. According to his long-time friend Pramod Jain, who is also a national-level umpire, Kanojiya officiated in several all India-level hockey tournaments namely Ajanta Invitational All India Hockey Meet at Aurangabad, Kannamwar Memorial All India Hockey Tournament at Chandrapur, Late Bhaiyya Lal Thakur All India Tournament, Nagpur. He was also technical official during the Maharashtra State Police Games held at Police Lines Takli. Kanojiya also officiated in All India Inter-University Hockey Tournament held in Nagpur apart from other tournaments conducted by VHA and Nagpur University.