Om Prakash Bhardwaj, former nationwide chief coach and first Dronacharya awardee in boxing, handed away after temporary sickness right here on Thursday. He was 82 and is survived by two sons and a daughter. His spouse Santosh had handed away on May 6.
“He was lion-hearted. Fearless, daring and assured. He was an envoy of Indian boxing in some ways. Apart from coaching boxers and managing groups, he would go all out to get sponsors for boxers,” said Jay Kowli, former secretary-general of Boxing Federation of India (BFI).
He was one of the officials involved in organising a show bout between Indian boxers, including Kaur Singh, and Muhammad Ali in early 1980s in New Delhi.
Bhardwaj was fondly known as OP Ji in boxing circle and was warm-hearted person who shared a rapport with the then International Boxing Association (AIBA) president Anwar Chowdhary of Pakistan, said Kowli.
Bhardwaj retired from Army Physical Training Institute in Pune in 1973 and joined National Institute of Sports in Patiala. “He was instrumental in starting NIS diploma course in boxing in 1975. I was among the first batch of students,” stated Dronacharya Award-winning coach Gurbux Singh Sandhu, who succeeded Bhardwaj.
Sandhu revealed that Bhardwaj was a scholar in addition to trainer through the 1975 diploma course in Patiala.
“We each had been awarded diploma the identical 12 months. He had ardour for boxing and labored arduous to enhance the profile of boxing in India,” added Sandhu.
Bhardwaj was the chief boxing coach from 1975 to 1993. He joined Sports Authority of India (SAI) as coach in 1984 and retired in early 1990s. He was awarded Dronacharya in 1985.
Sandhu who was Bhardwaj’s assistant later become the chief coach in early 1990s.
The highlight of Bhardwaj’s coaching career was 1986 Seoul Asian Games when Indian men’s boxing team won medals in all 12 weight categories.
“India won five silver and seven bronze medals. Then Bhardwaj sir was declared best coach of Asia,” stated a former worldwide boxer.
Bhardwaj can be identified for his hospitality.
“To put together for the 1990 World Cup, I stayed at Bhardwaj sir’s home for 3 months as I wasn’t in a position to prepare by myself in Rohtak, Haryana,” said Sarbjeet Sangwan, winner of bronze in 1990 World Cup.
After he retired from SAI in early 1990s, Bhardwaj set up a boxing academy at his house in New Delhi.
“I would say he had passion for boxing,” added Sangwan.
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