Kannur: Globally acclaimed football professional P P Lakshmanan, 83, passed away in Kannur in the wee hours of Monday. He has presided over the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) and was the first Indian to be chosen a member of the globally prestigious FIFA Appeals Committee and had held several positions of prominence in the sport.
Lakshmanan, acknowledged as the man who brought professionalism and introduced the national league to Indian football, was executive president of the AIFF besides being its technical committee chairman, treasurer, secretary, and senior vice-president. He was the first Indian to be honoured with the Golden Star from the Asian Football Confederation.
Lakshmanan was also president of the Kerala Football Association.
CM offers condolences
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan offered his condolences at the demise of Lakshmanan. He said Lakshmanan had been a live presence in the social and sport fields of Kannur. He had toiled for the growth of sports, and was noted internationally as a capable football organiser.
Vijayan said Lakshmanan had dedicated his life to football and demise is an irreparable loss for the field of sports as a whole. He also pointed out that Lakshmanan had also proven his capabilities as chairman of the Kannur municipality.