May 7: Shuba Puthran's DEATH AT AGE 40 HAS COME AS A SHOCK TO THE CITY'S basketball community who have long viewed the former international as an epitome of fitness.

A Western Railway stalwart, Shuba succumbed to jaundice at KEM hospital on Tuesday morning after being admitted to a private nursing home a week earlier. Shuba, moved to KEM after falling unconscious, breathed her last at 11.15 a.m.

Vaishali Qureshi, a former Central Railway player, planning to visit Shuba yesterday, was shocked when informed by Shuba's husband of her death. ``I was told that she would be discharged. That's why I had planned a visit. Little did know that I would hear of her death,'' said Vaishali.

Radha Ajit a former Central Railway player, who played against Shuba in local and inter-Railway tournaments, described her as a ``great player''. Shuba last played for Western Railway in the St Xaviers tournament in October 1996 where her team lost to archrivals Central Railway in the final. It showed during the tournament that age was catching up with the Western Railway team, but not with Shuba. Western had a depleted team, hobbling with some injury or the other, but Shuba was absolutely fit and ready.

Shuba, who played for the country in the 1980 Asian Basketball Confederation Championship in Hong Kong, was the youngest to play for the state in the Nationals when she studied at Ruia college.

Shuba was an inspiration to her team with boundless stamina and energy. Deepali Karmarkar, one of the younger members of the Western Railway team, revealed how Shuba goaded them to improve their fitness. ``We younger players felt ashamed when compared to her. She was very fit and always did her two hours of work on the court. I don't think anybody in basketball was as fitness conscious as she was,'' she says.

Mildred D'Lima, the captain of the Western team, said: ``Shuba was very cooperative. Though she was a much older, we had a friendly relationship with her. Her fitness level was awe-inspiring,'' said Mildred.

Nisha Tauro, another member of the Western Railway team, believed Shuba was the best defensive player. ``Her stamina was definitely a strong point but her defensive capabilities was her best quality.''

Rashmi Atul, who had played alongside Shuba for nearly 12 years, is deeply saddened by the loss of a good friend. ``Though she was much older to me and a better player, we were very friendly. She was a very cooperative and loving person and I am going to miss her very much.''

Shuba is survived by her husband Vidya and a 14-year-old son, Vinayak. She was cremated yesterday.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.