Lenin's death is a big loss to Indian archery: Limba Ram

Limba Ram, head coach of the Indian archery team, today said Lenin Cherukuri contributed significantly to their Commonwealth Games silver medal triumph in the men's compound section.

Lenin died in a freak road accident on NH 9 near Vijayawada in the wee hours today.

The 27-year-old Lenin guided Ritul Chatterjee and Jignas Chittibomma to an historical team silver medal in the Games.

Holidaying in his home town in Rajasthan, Limba woke up to the sad news this morning when an archery official informed him about the death of the compound archery coach.

"I am really disturbed since morning. Few days ago, we were in Delhi together. He along with his father had come to support Jignas and Ritul. They were right behind the duo.

"They did not perform well in the individual section. Lenin ensured that their performance in the individual section did not affect them in the team event. Lenin and his father have contributed to India's success," Limba said.

The national coach knows Lenin for more than seven years.

"He was a promising archer himself and had won a medal in the Asian Championships. He did a diploma in coaching and turned into a fulltime coach. He was very promising... It's a big loss to Indian archery."

Few years ago, Limba was invited by Lenin and his father to their Volga Archery Academy.

"They have a very good facility. I was surprised to see them train about 100 upcoming archers. They call international archers to give training in their academy.

"Former Mexican national coach and California-based Robin hood Archery Academy chairman Natty Jaime too had gone there. He was really dedicated and always wanted to do something for archery."

"It's really a sad moment for his father (Satyanarayana) who lost both his son and daughter in road accidents."

Lenin's sister Volga, also an archer, had died in a road accident six years ago.

After her death, Satyanarayana, who is also the secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Archery Association, set up the Volga Archery Academy in memory of his daughter.