Jharkhand’s veteran football administrator S Zubair Alam passed away at the Tata Main Hospital on Monday late evening. He was admitted to the hospital after experiencing breathing problems and later tested positive for Covid.

Alam (65) was the joint secretary of Jharkhand Football Association (JFA) and was actively involved in the functioning of popular Jamshedpur Sporting Association (JSA) football league.

He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

A pall of gloom descended on the steel city’s sports fraternity as the news spread. Alam was a national level footballer who also donned Mohammedan Sporting's jersey besides representing and mentoring Tata Steel football team in the local JSA league. Alam also mentored football sides of Bihar and Jharkhand for the Santosh Trophy.

A suave and every smiling Alam was a helpful man and was considered as one of the pillars for development of football in Jharkhand and Jamshedpur. He was also the chairman of JFA’s referees’ committee.

“It is difficult to believe that he (Alam) has passed away. I still remember his smiling face. He always played an active role to ensure the local league was efficiently conducted. His demise leaves a vacuum in Jharkhand football which will be difficult to fill,” said Jamshedpur FC CEO Mukul Choundhari.

“I am stunned to hear the news of Zubair bhai's demise. We always discussed development of football whenever we met. I am feeling alone with his passing away,” said former FIFA referee Binod Kumar Singh.

Expressing grief, JFA secretary Ghulam Rabbani said they have lost a football warrior. “I feel very sad. Alam played a very active role in channelising the game in Jharkhand. We have lost a football warrior,” he added.

“Jharkhand has suffered a huge loss with the demise of Alam,” said Ahmad Ansari, coach of state fooball team.