Shillong, Apr 18: The Meghalaya sports community has been left in shock after sports administrator Dister Marbaniang died late on Friday night. He met with an accident last week and had been receiving intensive treatment at NEIGRIHMS.
The loss is a huge one for the cricket and football communities in Meghalaya.
At the time of his death, Marbaniang was president of the East Khasi Hills Cricket Association (EKHCA), which oversees the sport in areas of the district outside Shillong. It was only on April 4 that the EKHCA celebrated the conclusion of its district T20 men’s championship.
Marbaniang had also been manager for several Meghalaya Cricket Association (MCA) teams, including up to the Ranji Trophy level.
Additionally, he was an important figure in local football. Marbaniang was closely associated with Royal Wahingdoh FC at its peak when it qualified for the I-League (now known as the Indian Football League) in 2014-15 and continued to remain with it when the hard times came as it reverted to being Wahingdoh SC. At the time of his passing he was one of the Shillong Sports Association’s (SSA’s) different sports secretaries. It was his voice that would most often be heard making announcements during Shillong Premier League matches and the like.
The first public condolence message came from the Shillong Cricket Association (SCA), which formally announced his death just after midnight today.
“It is with deep sorrow and a heavy heart that we inform all members of the passing of Bah Dister Marbaniang, the President of the East Khasi Hills District Association. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” SCA president Peter M Kharsawian said on social media.
Today morning, former MCA and SCA president Naba Bhattacharjee said, “Deeply saddened and anguished at the passing away of Bah Dister Marbaniang. We thought that being a fighter to the core he will overcome the tragic accident.”
“We worked together in Shillong Cricket Association since 2006 and thereafter in Meghalaya Cricket Association till recently. He was a sincere and committed administrator and benefactor in promoting cricket in our state. As founder President of East Khasi Hills District CA he played a pivotal role in taking cricket to different centres of the district. He served MCA in different capacities particularly as Manager for Senior teams since last several years. May Almighty bestow eternal peace to the noble soul and heartfelt condolences to his family to bear the grievous loss with courage!”
Another person who worked closely with Marbaniang in the development of grassroots cricket was former MCA and SCA secretary Gideon Kharkongor. “Very sad to have lost a friend and a colleague at SCA & MCA. Two decades together at developing grassroots cricket we travelled together to the nooks and corner of the state. His last journey was a cricket mission at Sohra. Will miss him tremendously and hard to fill the vacuum he left. We pray for his soul for an eternal rest and may God continue to bless the bereaved family,” he said.
Meghalaya State Olympic Association general secretary Finely L Pariat also reacted to the news. “A shocking news of the tragic death of my friend who I have been working with in the Shillong Sports Association for more than 30 years. He [was] a very active person in whatever position he held. Will miss him. May his soul rest in peace and may God be with his wife and children in this hour of sadness. No words to express how sad we are to lose a friend at the peak of his career,” he said.
Further messages of condolence were sent in by players, coaches and administrators from cricket and football from around the state. The MCA and SSA also posted condolence messages on social media to mourn the loss of an irreplaceable member of the sporting community.
