Olympian Kempaiah passes away

Bangalore, Jul 3 (UNI) Veteran footballer and Olympian M Kempaiah died at a private hospital here last night following a cardiac arrest.

He was 78. He is survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.

Kempaiah was admitted to the hospital on June 23 last after he complained of chest pain.

The midfielder had represented the country in the 1956 Melbourne and 1960 Rome Olympics. He had also played for the country in the International Quadrangle Football tournament, played in the now Bangladesh in 1955 and in Asian Games held in Japan in 1958.

Kempaiah had played for Mohan Bagan for several years, before joining LRDE here. He had played for the organisation and had a stint as a coach, before retiring in 1998.

Karnataka State Football Association president A R Khaleel and Bangalore Football Association president Alva have condoled the death.

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