SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 18: Bidhan Chandra Thakur, popularly known as BC Thakur, the first executive president of the Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA), passed away at Asian Jalan Hospital, Dhanbad. His demise has sent shockwaves through the sports fraternity of Jharkhand and Bihar.
Although Thakur belonged to the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) cadre, his name became synonymous with sports administration across the two states.
A Rare Victory Over an IAS Officer
BC Thakur first rose to prominence in 1991–92 when he defeated IAS officer Tripurari Sharan to become president of the Bihar Table Tennis Association (BTTA) while serving in Dhanbad. According to a retired administrative officer, it was the first instance in Bihar’s history where a BPSC officer defeated an IAS officer in an election for a sports body.
At the time, the BTTA was facing a severe financial crisis. Tripurari Sharan, based in Patna, reportedly declined to extend financial support. Thakur, already active in sports in south Bihar, offered to contribute ₹1 lakh if he was made president. The then secretary Mukesh Roy accepted the proposal, and Thakur replaced Sharan as president, marking a turning point in his administrative journey.
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Architect of Jharkhand’s Olympic Movement
With the creation of Jharkhand in 2000, Thakur was unanimously chosen as the first executive president of the JOA. Alongside him, advocate R.K. Anand (Delhi) became president, S.M. Hashmi (Dhanbad) general secretary, and Madhukant Pathak (Ranchi) treasurer.
Thakur continued to serve until 2017, when his close associate Hashmi was defeated by Vishal Sharma of Palamu in the JOA elections.
Thakur’s sports journey had earlier gained momentum in 1989, when, as BDO of Dhanbad Sadar block, he actively organized the Inter-District Bihar Football Championship on the directive of then DC Afzal Amanullah. His organizational skills earned him recognition and laid the foundation for his later role in state sports.
A Clean Image Amid Controversies
Known for his integrity, Thakur maintained a clean image throughout his career. Even when several top JOA officials were jailed in connection with the 34th National Games scam, Thakur, despite being the executive president at the time, faced no allegations. His reputation for honesty distinguished him in a field often marred by controversies.
In 2017, when sports activities in Dhanbad were nearly defunct, Thakur was persuaded by Ranjit Keshri to take charge as president of the District Olympic Association. Under his leadership, the body was revived and became active once again.
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Legacy and Tributes
At the time of his passing, Thakur was serving as the executive president of the Jharkhand Kickboxing Association and president of the Dhanbad District Kho-Kho Association. His death has left a significant void in Jharkhand’s sports administration.
Leaders from various sports associations, including Dhanbad Olympic Association secretary Ranjit Keshri, district table tennis association secretary Saket Sinha, and former JOA senior vice-president Zubair Alam, expressed deep sorrow.
They described his passing as a great loss to both Dhanbad and Jharkhand, remembering him as an able administrator who revived and nurtured sports with dedication and integrity.
