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BCCI chief Dalmiya dead, to receive state funeral
Kolkata, Sep 20
Board of Control for Cricket in
India (BCCI) president Jagmohan Dalmiya, who was admitted to a hospital
three days ago after complaining of chest pain, died on Sunday evening,
triggering shock and sorrow among the fraternity who termed it a great
loss to the game.
"He passed away at around 9 p.m.," Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) treasurer Biswarup Dey said.
The
veteran cricket administrator, 75, was admitted to the B.M. Birla
Hospital on Thursday night and shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
He also underwent a coronary angiography with his condition remaining
stable for close to three days.
Credited with turning the
gentleman's game into a global sport of big money and a reach well
beyond its traditional bastions, Dalmiya's death was widely mourned.
President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death and extended their condolences to his family.
Cricket
icon Sachin Tendulkar tweeted: "Heartfelt condolences to the family
& friends of Jagmohan Dalmiya. Had met him in June. little did I
realise that it would be the last. Will always cherish his encouragement
& support over the years. Worked hard for the game of cricket &
excelled as an administrator," tweeted
"Was touched by his efforts to make my penultimate Test at Eden Gardens very special. RIP Jagmohan Dalmiya," he added.
"Saddened
by Mr. Dalmiya's death. Immense contribution to Indian and world
cricket. A huge loss. Always a players man! Condolences to family!"
posted former India captain and leg-spin great Anil Kumble on Twitter.
"Dalmiya
Ji's contribution 2 Indian cricket was immense.He was an astute
administrator&a visionary.His demise is a huge loss 2 Indian
cricket," added former Indian batsman V.V.S. Laxman.
Former India cricketers Madan Lal and Chetan Sharma also expressed their shock.
"It
is a big loss to Indian cricket. He was one of the finest cricket
administrators I have known. We owe it to him for uplifting the status
of Indian cricket to what it is today. He was a great manager of
people," Lal, who was part of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team,
told IANS.
"He was a great man. He was the man responsible for
the uplift of Indian cricket. From starting players' pension, to their
welfare to commercialisation of the sport, we owe a lot to Jaggu Da,"
said Sharma, the first Indian bowler to bag an international hat-trick.
Sharma,
who said he had played for Bengal for 5-6 years, said Dalmiya was
"partly responsible" for his selection in the Indian team also.
West
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the hospital along with
city Mayor Sovon Chatterjee to pay her last respects.
CAB officials and former cricketers too reached the hospital.
"He
was a giant amongst sports administrators, a true lover of Bengal,"
said Banerjee, announcing he will be accorded state honours.
"Dalmiya's
contribution to cricket cannot be described in words. It is really
shocking to realise that he is no more. I had talked to his family
members when he was hospitalised on Thursday. They told me he was doing
fine.
"He was like a victorious king who fought valiantly in the
field of cricket administration and today he left us but remained
undefeated. He had so many dreams about world cup cricket. We will try
to fulfil those dreams," she said.
"He was an asset... we are all proud of him. We will give him state honours."
Dalmiya's funeral will take place on Monday at the Keoratala crematorium.
Condoling
the death, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said: "On behalf of all the
members of BCCI, I wish to submit our condolences to the bereaved family
of Mr. Dalmiya. As a visionary and a father figure of Indian cricket,
Mr. Dalmiya worked towards the development of the game of cricket in
India. The cricketing fraternity will miss him dearly."
Paying
rich tributes to Dalmiya, ICC chief executive officer Dave Richardson
said it was his legacy that India will forever remain important for
world cricket.
Born into a business family in 1940, Dalmiya was a
club-level cricketer. He kept wickets for two teams -- Jorabagan and
Rajasthan -- in the (then) Calcutta Cricket League, and switched to
cricket administration after hanging up his gloves.