Shillong, Jun 28: Chiranjib Choudhury, who had a big hand in the administration of sports in Meghalaya for several years, has died suddenly.
Choudhury was the former General Secretary of the Meghalaya State Olympic Association, from 2015 to 2022. Before and after that he was the General Secretary of the Meghalaya Table Tennis Association.
It was during his time as one of the senior leaders of the MSOA that Meghalaya co-hosted the 2016 South Asian Games and was awarded the rights to host the 39th National Games. The Meghalaya Games were also revived during his tenure.
As chief of the MTTA, Shillong hosted the SAF Junior Table Tennis Championships in 2012 and Senior National Table Tennis Championship in 2022.
Choudhury had also been a Vice-President of the Table Tennis Federation of India and was nominated as a full member of the coaching and junior committee by the Asian Table Tennis Union executive board for 2021-23, the first person from the North East who had been so appointed.
However, Choudhury came under personal attack by a pressure group, the Hynniewtrep Integrated Territorial Organisation, which in November 2021 called for all non-tribals in the various sports associations of the state to step down, with Choudhury specifically mentioned. It was after the HITO demand was reissued in January 2022 that Choudhury resigned.
His successor in the MSOA, Finely Pariat, informed the media of Choudhury’s death today.
The MSOA “expressed shock and was saddened at the sudden demise” of Choudhury. A condolence meeting was held at the MSOA office today as a mark of respect where one minute’s silence was observed.
Later, MSOA Working President John F Kharshiing, Vice-President Ian Lyngdoh and other members handed over a message of condolence and a wreath to the bereaved family.
(TSR file photo)
