The doyen of Manipur football Laipubam Ranjit Roy is no more. The septuagenarian sports administrator of Manipur breathed his last in a Mumbai hospital on Saturday. He was 73 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Considered as one of the driving forces behind the promotion of football in Manipur, Ranjit Roy who is popularly known as Oja Ranjit Roy had spent most of his life in various programmes for the development of sports in the state. He held many posts in different sports associations of Manipur which is known as sports power house of the country. He was also the general secretary of All Manipur Football Association till his death. A college lecturer by profession, he held the post of General Secretary of AMFA, Vice president of AMSA and President of AMVA till his last breath. He retires from Imphal College few years back.
Mortal remain of Ranjit Roy was brought here by air from Mumbai and the corpse was taken to office premises of AMFA at polo ground in the heart of Imphal town. AMFA functionaries, coaches and players paid tributes to the departed soul. Later the body was taken to his native place at Khurai Lairikyengbam Leikai in Imphal East district for performing the last rites.
Every sport lovers particularly the football lovers will not forget his resounding football commentary broadcast live on All India Radio especially during CC Meet matches in the state. With his death, AMFA has lost a guiding force for the development of football in the state which produces hundreds of talented players including those who are currently playing for premier football clubs of the country.
A joint condolence meeting of AMFA, All Manipur Sports Association, All Manipur Volleyball Association and Athletic Association of Manipur was held at AMSA hall, Mapal Kangjeibung and a two-minute silence was observed during the meeting in memory of the departed soul.
