Kokrajhar: Veteran footballer Nikunja Brahma, who hailed from Assam’s Kokrajhar district, breathed his last after a brief illness at a private hospital in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar city on Monday.
Brahma, who retired as a commandant of the Border Security Force (BSF), represented Assam in several national-level football tournaments. He was 68. He leaves behind his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law, granddaughter and a host of relatives.
Born on December 22, 1951 at Kokrajhari village in Kokrajhar district, Brahma represented Assam (Kokrajhar Government Higher Secondary & Multipurpose School) in Subroto Cup, New Delhi in 1969 and 1970, National School Games Championship in 1969 and emerged champions, represented junior state team in Dr BC Roy Trophy in 1971, represented Gauhati University Football team in 1971 and 1973, represented senior state football team in Santosh trophy in 1972. He was also the one of the first four recipients of the National Sport Talent Scholarship in 1971 from Assam.
Brahma also played for Maharana AC, Daimalu Sports Club and Barhoongkha Athletic Club, among others.
Brahma retired as a commandant of the Border Security Force (BSF). He was also the former president of the Kokrajhar District Sports Association (KDSA), besides being associated with social activities in the area.
His funeral was performed at his native village Kokrajhari in Kokrajhar on Tuesday. His mortal remains were taken to the KDSA office where people from all walks of life paid tributes and offered condolences to the departed soul.
