Calcutta: Former kabaddi international Shiekh Anzar Ali, who died of heart attack in train while travelling from Nagpur to Howrah early on Friday, never bothered to have a medical check-up, his friend, colleague and former international Kishore Patra said on Saturday.

“He used to complain of chest pain but never bothered to consult a doctor. I think the fatal heart attack could have been avoided had he consulted a doctor,” Patra said from Burdwan.

Anzar, a national selector, was returning from Nagpur where an inter-railway meet was going on and suffered a massive heart attack in the train. Anzar was part of the 1990 Asian Games gold medal-winning team.

“We are in a shock. Can’t believe he is not there,” Patra said.

West Bengal Kabaddi Association secretary Sujit Chakraborty said it was shocking to learn about the demise of the 45-year-old Railway employee. “He was not only a nice man but an extremely talented player,” Chakraborty said.

Anzar was born in Kalna and was residing in Ichapur before his untimely death.