AMN
Former President of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and ex-member of the Appeals committee of FIFA, P P Lakshmanan passed away at Kannur in Kerala early today after a brief illness. He was 83.
Lakshmanan was the first Indian to be chosen as the member of FIFA’s appeal committee. He was an eminent member of FIFA World Cup Appeal Committee for two consecutive editions, Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010. He had also served as Kerala Football Association president.
Condoling Lakshmanan’s passing away, Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, said he had received international acclaim for his organisational skills and had devoted his entire life for football.
In his message, the Chief Minister said Lakshmanan had immensely contributed to Kannur’s social and sports fields and his death was a great loss to the state.
AIFF president Praful Patel in his message said that it was a massive loss for Indian Football. He said, Lakshmanan’s contribution to Indian Football can never be forgotten. Mr Patel said, he was a visionary and had laid the path for the development of Indian Football over the years.
AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das has also condoled Lakshmanan’s death.