End of an era at UPCA as Yadupati Singhania passes away
LUCKNOW : JK Cement CEO and Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association president Yadupati Singhania passed away at a Singapore hospital on Thursday afternoon after a prolonged illness.
Yadupati, 65, was named UP Cricket Association chief following the death of his father Gaur Hari Singhania in February 2015. A key member of the Kanpurbased JK Group family, one of India’s oldest and most prosperous industrialist families, Yadupati was simple and soft-spoken. News reports always described him as the king of cement and said that with his skilful management he took JK Cement to new heights.
As soon as the news of Yadupati’s death was received, there was a wave of mourning in the industrial town and other cities too. Rajiv Shukla, one of the directors of the UP Cricket Association, as well as other officials of the cricket body, condoled the demise of Yadupati. Shukla noted Singhania’s guidance in the development of cricket in Uttar Pradesh.
“Yadupati Ji’s contribution to the development of UP cricket is immense and his death is a big loss to the game in the state. He (Yadupati) was always at the forefront for the betterment of UP cricket and cricketers,” Shukla said.
UPCA officials and employees paid tribute to the departed soul at a meeting at Kanpur’s Kamla Club, which also houses the Gaur Hari Singhania Cricket Academy. Recalling the contribution of the Singhanias in Uttar Pradesh cricket, one of the oldest life members of the UP Cricket Association, Moinuddin, said that the
Singhanias remained the forefathers of cricket in the state in terms of its development.
“It was the Singhanias (Padamapt and Co), who brought the first Test match between India and England, to Green Park Stadium (formerly known as Modi Stadium) in 1952. The UP Cricket Association was founded in 1928 by its founder president Vijay Anand Gajapati Raj Bahadur, better known as the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram.”
“The Singhanias have always played a big role in sports-related activities in Kanpur as well as in the state and I still remember the early days of development of UP cricket by patron Padampat Singhania,” said Moinuddin, 84, adding, “The Singhanias not only managed their family business but also promoted cricket and other sports. Dr Gaur Singhania Cricket Academy, which has produced cricketing talent for the state and country, is a living example of the contribution of the Singhanias to the sport.”