Shillong, Apr 5: Football legend Gilberton Sangma passed away on Friday morning in Guwahati. He was 71.
Arguably the best footballer to emerge from Assam, Sangma represented the state and Assam Police on the football field. The forward also represented India in three friendlies against Indonesia and Thailand in 1975.
His 17-year playing career saw Assam become a force to be reckoned with in Indian football and one of his defining moments was when he scored the winning goal to help Assam Police win the Bordoloi Trophy in 1981 against Goan club Dempo.
In the Santosh Trophy, the 1974-75 edition saw him score as Assam dumped defending champions Kerala out of the tournament.
Sangma had been unwell for the last couple of years due to age-related ailments.
His demise was noted by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Although Gilbertson Sangma was born and raised in Assam, he had roots in the Garo (or A·chik) community. The CM said: “Shri Gilbertson Sangma was not just the pride of Assam, but a revered footballer of the North East and an A·chik brother we were privileged to call our own. His passing is a great loss to our region and to the sporting fraternity. I join the people of our state in paying tribute to this remarkable footballer and extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. May his soul rest in peace.”
Indian Super League side NorthEast United also paid tributes, saying on social media, “We at NorthEast United FC mourn the passing of Gilbertson Sangma, one of Assam’s notable footballers, who was known as the ‘Man with Golden Boot’. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones in this difficult time.”
