New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) Former UNI Sports Editor Harpal Singh Bedi, who attained a legendary status of sorts in agency journalism for his knowledge and fast and objective coverage of sporting events from around the globe, died here on Saturday after a prolonged illness.
A passionate scribe, whose spirits used to soar or droop in direct proportion to the success or failure of the Indian athletes/team, Bedi was 72. He left behind his wife and daughter, family sources said.
Bedi, more popularly known by his initials HSB, joined sports journalism after completing his M.A. and M.Phil from the School of International Studies of the Jawaharlal Nehru University.
He was attached to the United News of India as a sports journalist for over 30 years and headed the agency's sports desk for long.
Besides covering eight Olympic Games, Bedi reported from the spot during a number of Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, hockey and cricket World cups and international and domestic events of almost all sporting disciplines.
Bedi had a special attachment with hockey and filed his reports with great passion.
He appeared regularly as expert in sports related programmes broadcast on All India Radio and various television channels.
In 2012, Bedi served as the Indian contingent's press attache at the London Olympics.
A man known for his repertoire of jokes, quick and witty repartees, Bedi always emerged as the prime attraction in the media box and in any other gathering of journalists.
UNI SSP CS1551