Sharma’s family members at his residence. Picture by Eastern Projections

June 25: Former chief administrator of Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and veteran sports personality Phani Sharma died in a city nursing home at 7.50am today. He was 76.

Sharma is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. The GMC declared a half-day holiday today, as a pall of gloom descended on the civic body. His body was brought to Nehru Stadium where several hundred sports personalities gathered to pay their last respects. All sports organisations across the state condoled his demise.

Born in Machkhowa on August 23, 1933, Sharma graduated from Gauhati University in 1953 and did a special course on administration and secretarial management. He was offered an honorary doctorate in sport and games by World Open University at its 60th convocation held in New Delhi. A businessman by profession, Sharma excelled in sport and was the state table tennis captain for two years.

Sharma was the only vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association from the Northeast for 12 years till 1989. He led the Indian Olympic team for the Seoul Olympics as the deputy chef-de-mission.

Sharma was also associated with various socio-cultural organisations. He was the president of the Eastern India Motion Picture Association, president of All Assam Id Sanmilani, secretary of the All Assam Bihu Sanmilani and chief adviser to 150 mahila samitis in the city.

He was the general secretary of Assam PCC for a year from 1996 to 1997 and vice-president for two years.