Former India footballer Manitombi Singh died in Imphal after lengthy sickness on Sunday. He was 39 and is survived by mother and father, spouse and an eight-year-old son. Manitombi was a defender who may play proper again, centre-back and left again. He performed for Mohun Bagan and was a part of the Hindustan FC workforce that received the Delhi Soccer Affiliation league title in 2010.
“There was a time when Manitombi, Tomba (Singh), Lolendro (Singh) and James (Singh) performed collectively for Mohun Bagan beneath my captaincy, “mentioned Renedy Singh, over the telephone from Imphal.
“We had met some 4 months in the past at a sport in Imphal and he seemed all proper. He has been a coach for quite a few golf equipment and youth groups in Manipur after retirement,” mentioned Renedy, who can also be president of the Soccer Gamers’ Affiliation of India (FPAI).
FPAI, Singh mentioned, will try to increase funds for the household. “Manitombi didn’t have a job; he coached for a dwelling. His spouse is a homemaker,” mentioned Renedy who had joined NEROCA FC as head coach after Manitombi had give up their as their under-18 workforce coach.
Manitombi performed for India within the 2002 LG Cup in Vietnam. It was Stephen Constantine’s first match as head coach and ended the senior nationwide workforce’s 31-year watch for a title. Manitombi was additionally a part of the India squad within the 2002 Busan Asian Video games.
“He was a troublesome tackling full again who performed with loads of ardour. That is very unhappy information. My condolences to his household,” mentioned Constantine, talking from Cyprus.
“Our ideas and prayers are along with his household throughout this tough time. Relaxation in peace, Manitombi Singh,” Mohun Bagan mentioned on Twitter.
Manitombi scored for Mohun Bagan in his first sport in 2003 and led them to victory within the All Airways Gold Cup. He additionally performed for Air India and Salgaocar and for former Manipur league champions Anouba Imagi Mangal within the 2015-16 earlier than taking the top coach’s job on the membership.