S. Thyagarajan, veteran sports journalist, passes away

S. Thyagarajan, 85, veteran sports correspondent, who worked with The Hindu for more than five decades, passed away here on Monday (March 23, 2026). A multi-sport writer, who eventually specialised in covering hockey, Thyagarajan, ‘Thyagu Sir’ for many, was the spine that held The Hindu’s sports department together for many years.

He joined the organisation on June 6, 1962, rose through the ranks, and retired as the Deputy Sports Editor on December 21, 2013. For an additional year, he also worked as a consultant with The Hindu Group. Through his career, he wrote extensively in The Hindu and Sportstar.

Known for an alliterative style, Thyagarajan weighed his words and reported sport, ranging from the hyper-local to the Olympics, with accuracy. He was a regular presence in most press boxes across the globe and always ready with a quick repartee.

Having reported on multiple Olympics and Asian Games, he also covered almost all hockey matches that involved India for decades. His analysis had depth, and his criticism was always linked to the sport and the way it was played, and never got personal. Right from the junior athlete to a champion like Dhanraj Pillay, from a local club official to senior sports administrators, Thyagarajan’s connections spanned a wide range and in all these circles, he was held in high regard.

Even after retirement, he kept a watch on The Hindu’s sports pages. If he liked a feature or report, he would text a warm message. And if there was a new byline, he would be curious to know about the writer. Accessible and a fount of innumerable anecdotes, he would often delve into the past and recount tales with gusto.

Thyagarajan is survived by wife and two daughters. Hockey India, the Sports Journalists Federation of India (SJFI) and the Tamil Nadu Sports Journalists Association (TNSJA) condoled his demise. He was the SJFI president in the 1990s. Thyagarajan was also one of the founding members of the TNSJA and served as its president.