The Meghalaya football community is in mourning following the death of Fullmoon Pyrtuh, a former footballer of legendary proportions, who passed away yesterday.
Pyrtuh was 61 and died following a prolonged illness. The funeral will take place on Tuesday afternoon and he will be buried at Mawkhar Presbyterian Church cemetery in Lawmali.
Pyrtuh rose to prominence as a member of the iconic St Anthony’s Higher Secondary School football team that won the U-17 boys’ Subroto Cup in 1978, the state’s first title in this prestigious competition.
In 1983 he captained the Meghalaya state school team at the National School Championships and his superb performance there earned him a shot at the selection trials for the Indian school team. He made it through and represented the country at the 13th Asian School Football Tournament where the young Pyrtuh was hailed as one of the tournament’s best players. During that tournament he scored India’s winning goal against Singapore, which would remain a highlight of his sporting life.
He is survived by his wife, Monalisa Marbaniang, two sons and a daughter.
In his local club career, he featured in the erstwhile Blue Max FC and Wahingdoh SC while also playing for the Directorate of Soil Conservation in the Inter-Office League. He was a regular fixture in the Shillong XI, the Meghalaya senior team, and the Meghalaya Civil Services team.
A dynamic midfielder, Pyrtuh played alongside some of the state’s football greats, including Augustine Kharkongor, Tenzing Khyriem, L Darlong, Michael Wahlang, the late Ajay Thapa and Atom Dey. However, unlike many of his peers, Pyrtuh chose not to pursue a full-time coaching role after retirement.
Many tributes have been paid to the departed, including from his ex-team mates Augustine Kharkongor and L Darlong.
Kharkongor said that Pyrtuh’s death is a huge loss for the state, while Darlong described him as a “true gentleman”.
Others to pay tribute included former goalkeeper Cliff Nongrum and coach Bobby L Nongbet. “A talent I noticed was so fierce, most defenders and goalkeepers would panic whenever he had the ball, especially outside the box,” Nongbet said. “And his shooting was impeccable, simply majestic.”
There were also condolences from those involved in other sports as well as a message posted on the social media handles of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs.
