Assam: Veteran sports journalist Premadhar Sarmah passes away
Guwahati: Veteran sports journalist, organiser and commentator Premadhar Sarmah, whose contributions over several decades left a lasting impact on Assam’s sporting landscape, passed away on Thursday evening following a prolonged illness. He was 86.
Family members said Sarmah breathed his last around 8 pm. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and two sons.
Widely respected in the region’s sporting fraternity, Sarmah played multiple roles throughout his career—as a player, referee, organiser, journalist and commentator, contributing significantly to the development and promotion of sports in Assam for more than five decades.
Sarmah began his professional career in 1964 when he joined the Central Railway along with Pulak Lahiri. However, his passion for sports soon drew him into journalism. In 1965, he joined the Assamese daily Dainik Asam as its first sports reporter.
Over the years, he became one of the most prominent voices in sports journalism in the state. After nearly four decades with the newspaper, he retired as deputy editor in 2004.
During his long career, Sarmah reported on several major national and international sporting events, including the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi and the Reliance World Cup in 1987. He also covered prominent tournaments such as the Hero Cup and the Wills Trophy in 1996.
Beyond journalism, Sarmah represented India at various international forums. In 1992, he was part of a media delegation that attended the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, alongside the then Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao. In the same year, he represented India at the 97th Congress of the Asian Sports Press Union in Seoul, South Korea. In 2002, he also attended the Winter Olympics in Quebec City, Canada.
Sarmah maintained close associations with several sports bodies and organisations in Assam, including the Guwahati Sports Association, Assam Football Association, Assam Olympic Association, Assam Cricket Association, Assam Table Tennis Association, All Assam Kabaddi Association and the Assam Sports Journalists Association, where he served as president.
He was also actively involved with the Guwahati Press Club and served as treasurer of the Sports Journalists Federation of India.
Sarmah joined Gauhati Town Club in the early 1960s and later became associated with the Guwahati Sports Association, serving as assistant secretary of its table tennis wing. During his early years in the sports fraternity, he was influenced by several prominent figures, including Radha Govinda Baruah and Pulin Das.
Apart from journalism and sports administration, Sarmah was widely recognised for his sports commentary. His voice was familiar to football enthusiasts across the region, particularly during the Bordoloi Trophy matches.
Sarmah completed his education at Cotton Collegiate High School, Cotton College and Gauhati University. During his student years, he also came in contact with several renowned sports personalities, including Talimeren Ao.