NEW DELHI: Former All India Football Federation secretary PP Lakshmanan passed away in Kannur Monday morning. He was 83.
Lakshmanan served AIFF as secretary from 1988 to 1996. He was earlier associated with AIFF as chairman of the junior technical committee, before shifting to the working committee in 1982. He also served as AIFF treasurer from 1984-88.
One of the most proficient sports administrators of his time, Lakshmanan went on to become AIFF senior vice president of in 1996 and eventually, became executive president in 2000, before leaving office four years later.
AIFF president Praful Patel mentioned Lakshmanan’s demise as “a massive loss for Indian Football”.
In his condolence message, Patel said: “It is very sad to hear that Mr Lakshmanan is no more. His contribution to Indian football can never be forgotten. He was a visionary and had laid the path for the development of Indian football over the years. May his soul rest in peace.”
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das, in his message, stated: “It’s a great loss for Indian football that Mr Lakshmanan is no more. He was a very capable administrator whose passion for football stay unparalleled. May his soul rest in peace. We share the grief.”
Lakshmanan, who served the Kerala Football Association as vice-president from 1971-88, was also elected as the KFA president from 1980-88.
Lakshmanan was also an eminent member of the AFC appeal committee, AFC player status committee and AFC competition committee during his tenure. He served as the deputy chairman of the AFC player status committee for two years (1998-2000). Moreover, he acted as the executive committee member of the Indian Olympic Association for five years (1991-96).
He was also appointed as the head of delegation of the Indian football team for Asian Games in the Korea Republic, and the deputy chef de mission in the SAF Games held at Islamabad in Pakistan.
In addition, Lakshmanan was also a member of FIFA World Cup appeal committee for two consecutive editions Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010.
His contribution for other sports was also noteworthy. He was elected as the vice president of the Kerala State Indian Style Wrestling Association in 1980 and was selected as a standing committee member of the Kerala State Sports Council twice between 1988-91.
