Legendary Mizo footballer Benjamin Laldinpuia Khiangte passed away here on Friday. Fondly known as Didina, the football legend breathed his last at the age of 60, Sportskeeda reported.
Son of an Indian Foreign Service officer, K.C.Lalvunga, Didina had the opportunity to play for Australian Capital Territory and Nepal first division teams during his younger days.
Coming back to India in 1976, he plied his trade for then Aizawl XI and graced the field at his home soil.
Didina founded Aizawl FC in 1984 along with a few friends.
“Mr. Didina was the convener among a group of friends who founded Aizawl FC so we can safely call him ‘The founder of Aizawl FC’. He was of the view that footballers should always wear the best shirt, so he even ordered Umbro jersey from foreign soil for Aizawl FC in the 1980’s,” Sportskeeda quoted Lalnghinglova Hmar (Tetea), an executive member of All India Football Federation, as sang.
A former executive member of Mizoram Football Association (MFA), Didina was the first captain of Aizawl FC and won many accolades as a player. After his retirement, he was hired as a manager/coach at The People’s Club.
He was associated with MFA for a long period and had taken charge of the state team from sub-junior level to Santosh Trophy.
He won the Goan First Division title with Faria Strikers in his first year with the club in 2009.
“Mr. Didina made many positive impacts for the development of football in Mizoram. His contribution is immense and it is a great loss for the fans,” said Hmingsanga, an executive member of MFA.