Usha said Babu, a fellow Keralite, will be remembered as a “great sportsperson”.

“I was 14 when I first met him when he was the star in the athletics arena,” Usha said.
“He was a down to earth personality and a straight forward person.

“He had no airs and was always there to help juniors and later on became a coach.
“I personally feel that he was not fully used because he was technically talented too and always had an answer for any doubts,” said Usha.

Suresh Babu represented India with distinction in varous international competitions during the 70s. Babu won the gold in  the long jump event at the Bangkok Games.