MARGAO
Former Salgaocar FC legends have not just dazzled on the field but also in the society.
Several former players of Salgaocar FC, still unified as a group under the Salgaocar Legends Foundation, have a unique solidarity facet. Whenever they see any footballer in crisis, they rise up in arms.
The recent solidarity shown by the legends was to help the family of former India defender and ex-Salgaocar player Manitombi Singh, who died at the age of 39 in his native place of Imphal, Manipur.
Manitombi was suffering from a prolonged illness and died in August. He is survived by his wife and an eight-year-old son.
Having started out his playing career with Army Boys in Manipur, Manitombi represented Air India, Salgaocar and Mohun Bagan. He last played for Manipur League side Anouba Imagi Mangal in the 2015-16 season before becoming their head coach.
Former Salgaocar stars and Manipur-based footballers Sanaton and Dharamjit Singh paid a condolence visit to Manitombi’s family in Manipur, recently. A condolence letter and a cheque of Rs 1,30,000 was presented to Manitombi’s wife Ronibala Devi on behalf of the Salgaocar Legends Foundation.
The foundation formed with the sole intention of helping past footballers is a non-charitable entity dedicated to furthering a social cause and advocating a shared point of view among the members. Footballers in the group include some of the iconic legends of Goan and Indian football. The foundation is also supported by the Salgoacar family.
