Chennai, Mar 25 (UNI) Well known martial arts exponent and leading archery coach Shihan Hussaini died here on Tuesday after battling blood cancer.
He was undergoing treatment at the and considering his plight, the Tamil Nadu government had on March 16 handed over an assistance of Rs five lakh for his medical treatment from the Sports Development Authority funds.
“The Archery Association of Tamil Nadu (TAAT) announced the passing away of Shihan Hussaini, the founding father of the Association and its serving General Secretary, in the early hours of March 25 at 1:45 AM”, TAAT said.
He succumbed to blood cancer after a courageous battle, leaving behind an irreplaceable void in the world of archery.
After public homage at his city residence, his mortal remains will be taken to his home town Madurai for final rites.
HU, as he was affectionately called, was the driving force behind the establishment and growth of archery in Tamil Nadu.
Through his relentless efforts, he transformed the sport from a niche pursuit into a thriving discipline, producing numerous champions who have represented the state and country with distinction.
His visionary leadership in TAAT was instrumental in shaping policies, fostering young talent, and securing Tamil Nadu’s place as a powerhouse in Indian archery.
Beyond his administrative and coaching roles, he was a mentor, a guide, and a tireless advocate for the sport.
His students and colleagues remember him not only for his technical expertise, but also for his unwavering commitment, discipline, and passion for archery.
His leadership extended beyond the training grounds, influencing the very structure and development of the sport in the state.
While handing over the Rs five lakh assistance, the TN government said Shihan Hussaini has made immense contributions for the sport in Tamil Nadu and also in India and has produced and trained several archers in the State.
It also said Shihan introduced ‘Recurve” and ‘Compound” categories in archery in 1979 and 1980 respectively.
In archery “Recurve” and “Compound” refer to two distinct bow types and categories, with Recurve being the traditional form and is an Olympic sport, while Compound archery is a modern iteration using a pulley/cable system for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.
