Saina, Jwala condole demise of BAI chief Akhilesh Das Gupta

Ace Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta have expressed deep sorrow at the sudden demise of Badminton Association of India (BAI) President Akhilesh Das Gupta.

Taking to her Twitter account, London Olympics bronze-medallist Saina said that she was extremely shocked to hear that their beloved president is no more.

"Really shocking news ?? it's just unbelievable..our beloved president sir @BAI_Media is no more .. may his soul Rest in peace," Saina wrote.

Expressing her grief over the demise of the BAI president, Jwala wrote, "My heartfelt condolences to the family of our badminton president who passed away... #akhileshdasgupta #RIP."

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Vijay Goel also condoled the demise of Akhilesh Das.

"Shocked by the sudden demise of @BAI_Media President Akhilesh Das,was a great administrator.Prayers & condolences for his friends and family," he tweeted.

Former union minister and Congress leader Akhilesh Das breathed his last here on Wednesday following a heart attack. He was 56 years old.

He was the son of freedom fighter late Babu Banarasi Das, who also served as the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh.

Das, who was the Mayor of Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) from May 1993- November 1996, contributed extensively in the development of the city.

He held the country's most prestigious office as 'Member of Parliament' (Rajya Sabha) for 18 years serving three consecutive terms of six years each from November 1996 to November 2014.

He held the office of the Minister for Steel from January 2006 till May 2008 under Dr Manmohan Singh Government during UPA-I regime.

He actively served as the secretary of Congress Parliamentary Party between 2003 to 2006 under the chairmanship of Sonia Gandhi.

He served as the chairman of the Organizational Election Authority for the Congress in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, and successfully conducted the grass-root level organizational elections of the party in the year 2004-05.

Besides being president of the BAI, he was also the vice-president of Badminton Asia Confederation, a member of the Executive Council of Badminton World Federation and vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association.

As a national-level badminton player, Gupta had represented Uttar Pradesh and the country in various International Badminton Tournaments.

The CBI completed the investigation and sent its report to the Sports Ministry, Government of India, but no action had been taken yet.