KOZHIKODE: Indian basketball lost one of its icons with the demise of former Indian basketball coach Lt Col M Rajan, who breathed his last at a private hospital in Kozhikode on Sunday. He was 83-years-old and has been suffering from age-related ailments of late.Rajan was the coach of the Indian men’s team for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, the only time India played in the quadrennial event.
Rajan also led Services team to the National Championship title 21 times in his capacity as a coach and was instrumental in moulding the career of several successful basketball players. For his service, he was decorated with the Vishista Seva Medal (VSM). After his retirement, he was living with his family at his Chevayoor residence and is survived by wife Usha and two sons- Rajesh Makolath and Jithesh Makolath.