Ajit Pawar passes away in Pune plane crash, leaves behind a lasting sporting legacy in Maharashtra
The sudden loss of Ajit Pawar has left Maharashtra stunned, cutting across politics and sport. Sporting legends including PT Usha and Sachin Tendulkar mourn.
The sudden demise of the deputy CM of Maharashtra and the president of the Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA), Ajit Pawar, has sent shockwaves through the entire nation. The minister tragically lost his life in a plane crash after Bombardier Aerospace's Learjet 45 crashed while making a second landing attempt in Baramati. The political as well as the sports fraternity is mourning for this loss acknowledgng Pawar’s contribution for Maharashtra’s sporting infrastructure landscape.
Building the base, not just showpieces
Pawar’s sports vision felt practical, inclusive, and deeply rooted in an athlete-centred approach. He was the pioneer in securing budgetary allocations for the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi. He made sure that talent didn’t have to migrate from early to big cities, therefore contributing significantly to creating districts and taluka-level facilities. He also ensured regular funding and maintenance so that the stadiums didn’t fade away after big events.
His support for kabaddi and wrestling struck an emotional chord. Higher rewards and honorariums for icons like Hind Kesari showed respect for tradition, helping Maharashtra remain a powerhouse while keeping its sporting culture alive. But his approach wasn’t just limited to domestic aspirations.
Pawar understood that hosting global events raises awareness and interest. Tournaments like the ATP Maharashtra Open and the Pune Grand Tour 2026 were organized under his administration.
Sports fraternity mourns
Sporting legends, including the ‘Payyoli Express’ aka PT Usha, Vijender Singh, Sachin Tendulkar, Yusuf Pathan, Ajinkiya Rahane, and Mohammad Azharuddin, expressed their condolences to his family.
"I am shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar ji. His absence will be profoundly felt in the sports community, as he was the President of the Maharashtra Olympic Association. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and supporters. Om Shanti," IOC President PT Usha wrote on Instagram.
More than ‘just another politician’
Pawar, affectionately known as ‘Dada’, was the president of the Maharashtra Olympic Association for the fourth consecutive time. He has been a seven-time representative of the Baramati Assembly constituency since 1991. He also held the chairmanship of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank (PDC) for 16 years, wielding considerable power over sugar cooperatives and milk unions. Throughout his career, he held numerous major ministerial roles in Maharashtra, including Water Resources, Power, and Rural Development, under various Chief Ministers such as Vilasrao Deshmukh, Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan, and Uddhav Thackeray.