Kolkata: Long serving East Bengal official Swapan Ball lost his prolonged battle with cancer as he breathed his last in the early hours on Friday. He was 71.
The club took to Twitter and expressed their condolences, “We received a very disheartening news earlier. Swapan Ball is no more. We are deeply saddened by this loss. He has been a part of the red and gold brigade for years and played the role of a manager successfully for years. May he rest in peace.”
The much-loved Bal was unwell and was bed-ridden for six months and his condition worsened with each passing day eventually leading to the inevitable. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
This morning his body was brought to the club which he loved the most for the officials and fans to pay one last tribute to the legendary figure in East Bengal football history.
He had served the developmental teams of the Kolkata giants as a goalkeeper between the years 1968-1970 but his main contribution to the club came as an official as he served the Red and Gold brigade in that capacity for over three decades.
It was the East Bengal team that he managed that went on to win the ASEAN Club Championship in 2003. He stayed with the club through thick and thin and was always correct with the numbers and statistics of Kolkata football.
It was under him that East Bengal developed a strong rivalry with Kolkata clubs Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting but as he breathed his last, every football fanatic in the city mourned the death of this great individual.
Even when he was bed-ridden, he kept himself updated with the news of the practice sessions of the club.
Not only Kolkata but condolences poured out from the AIFF as well with it’s CEO Sunando Dhar saying, “With regards to the knowledge of match organisation and administration, Swapan Ball was second to none. His demise is not only East Bengal’s loss but the entire Indian football fraternity’s.”
Subrata Dutta, the senior vice-president of the AIFF and chairman of the League Committee also said, “He dedicated his entire life to the cause of the game. Swapan Ball and the East Bengal club were synonymous till he breathed his last. We have lost a very important member of our football fraternity whose void shall never be filled for time immemorial. My heartfelt condolences to his family members and all supporters of East Bengal club. May his soul rest in peace.”
SportsCrunch wishes peace to the departed soul of. RIP Swapan Ball.