Kobe Bryant and Munich plane crash (Photos by AP and Getty News) NEW DELHI: “Bone-chilling” seems to be the only word that fits as Indians woke up on Wednesday to the crushing news of the tragic demise of Ajit Pawar. The sudden loss of Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief in a tragic plane crash near Baramati has sent shock waves.The Indian sports fraternity united in grief and mourned the leader who was fondly known as ‘Dada’ and whose influence extended far beyond politics.
Ajit Pawar plane crash, budget expectations, Arijit Singh retirement and more
As the president of the Maharashtra Olympic Association, Ajit Pawar played a key role in strengthening the state’s sports ecosystem. Condolences were led by Indian Olympic Association chief PT Usha. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar remembered him as a dedicated leader who worked tirelessly for the people of Maharashtra. Olympic medalist boxer Vijender Singh, Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane and several other athletes echoed similar sentiments.Over the decades, several aviation tragedies have left such deep scars that they continue to haunt fans, teammates and nations alike. Here we recall some of the most chilling air disasters that broke the hearts of the sports world.The Munich air tragedyOne of the blackest days in football history occurred on February 6, 1958, when a plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed shortly after takeoff in Munich. The team, known as the “Busby Babes”, were returning from a European Cup match when the plane failed to gain altitude on an icy runway.
Manchester United supporters display a banner in honor of the victims on February 6, 1958 (Photo: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
23 lives were lost, including eight players.Tragedy robbed football of extraordinary young talent and forced Manchester United to rebuild from the ashes.He still remembers basketball Kobe BryantOn January 26, 2020, the sports world was stunned when NBA legend Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. His 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others lost their lives.
Host Hugh Grant asks for a round of applause in memory of the late Kobe Bryant during the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards at Verti Music Hall on February 17, 2020 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images for Laureus)
Bryant was more than a basketball icon. His sudden death sparked an outpouring of grief from all athletes as fans struggled to accept that one of the greatest competitors of all time was gone in an instant.The tragedy of Chapecoense In November 2016, Brazilian football club Chapecoense was on the brink of history. They traveled to Colombia for the Copa Sudamericana final. But tragedy struck when LaMia Flight 2933 crashed near Medellín due to fuel exhaustion.
Relatives mourn over a casket containing the remains of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real at the club’s Arena Conda stadium in Chapeco, southern Brazil’s Santa Catarina state, December 3, 2016. (Photo: Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Seventy-one people lost their lives, including most of the Chapecoense team, staff and journalists. The football world reacted with unity and compassion as rivals mourned together. Chapecoense won the title posthumously, but the trophy could never fill the void left by the tragedy.The Flight disaster in the AndesThe plane crash in the Andes in 1972 is one of the most harrowing stories of survival. A Uruguayan Air Force plane carrying the Old Christians Club rugby team crashed into the Andes mountains while en route to Chile.Of the 45 people on board, only 16 survived after 72 days in freezing conditions. Forced to make unimaginable decisions to stay alive, their story transcended sports to become a powerful testament to human resilience, later immortalized in books and movies.Emiliano SalaFootball was once again plunged into grief in January 2019 when Argentina striker Emiliano Sala died in a plane crash over the English Channel. Sala traveled from France to join his new club Cardiff City after completing a high-profile move from Nantes.
A close-up view of Monaco players warming up wearing shirts paying tribute to Emiliano Sala during the Ligue 1 match between AS Monaco and FC Nantes at Stade Louis II on February 16, 2019 in Monaco. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
The disappearance and subsequent recovery of the plane attracted worldwide attention. Sal’s death left fans and players shaken by the cruel twist of fate.The tragedy behind the fairy taleIn October 2018, tragedy struck Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Shortly after take-off, the helicopter carrying club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed. Vichai, who won Leicester a fairytale Premier League title in 2016, was widely loved by players and supporters.
Players, officials and fans observe a minute’s silence for the Leicester City helicopter disaster ahead of the Carabao Cup fourth round match between West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur at the London Stadium on October 31, 2018 in London. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
His death devastated the club and the city as thousands of fans gathered to pay tribute to the man who transformed Leicester City on and off the pitch.Zambia national football team (1993)One of the biggest African football tragedies occurred in April 1993, when a plane carrying the Zambian national team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Gabon. All 30 people on board were killed.The team was traveling for World Cup qualifiers and the crash destroyed the golden generation of Zambian footballers. Remarkably, Zambia rebuilt and won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, dedicating the triumph to fallen heroes.
