Kolkata, 13 May (H.S.): Former Mohun Bagan president Swapan Sadhan Bose passed away late Tuesday night at the age of 78. Bose, who had been suffering from prolonged health complications, breathed his last at a private hospital in south Kolkata.

He was admitted to the hospital on Monday evening after suffering a cardiac arrest and was placed on ventilator support.

West Bengal Sports Minister Nishith Pramanik and All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey visited the hospital on Tuesday to enquire about his condition. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had also sought updates on his health.

Tutu Bose will be remembered as one of the most influential football administrators in Indian football history, particularly for his contributions to Mohun Bagan. During his tenure, the club witnessed several landmark decisions. Among the most significant was handing over the club’s ownership stake to industrialist Sanjiv Goenka, following which the prefix ‘ATK’ was added to the club’s name — a move that had sparked widespread debate among supporters.

Bose also played a pioneering role in introducing foreign footballers to Mohun Bagan. Under his leadership, Nigerian footballer Chima Okorie joined the club, becoming its first foreign player. The decision was widely regarded as a turning point in Indian football.

Apart from football administration, Bose was also known as a businessman, newspaper owner and former Rajya Sabha member representing the All India Trinamool Congress.

In recent years, deteriorating health had forced him away from active involvement in football administration, and he had become largely dependent on a wheelchair. Despite that, Mohun Bagan supporters continued to regard him as one of the club’s foremost guardians.

Last year, Bose was honoured with the prestigious ‘Mohun Bagan Ratna’ award during Mohun Bagan Day celebrations. The ceremony was attended by several sporting icons, including Sourav Ganguly, Bhaichung Bhutia, I. M. Vijayan, Jose Barreto and Subrata Bhattacharya.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh