Nabon, soccer diplomat, passes away

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian soccer community is mourning the death of the highly respected Nabon Noor, who died of kidney failure here on Friday just 12 days shy of his 75th birthday.

Nabon, who is survived by his wife, Eli Harahap, five children and 10 grandchildren, died at the Sumber Waras Hospital in West Jakarta at 1:40 a.m. He was buried in Bogor on the same day.

Nabon was not only involved in domestic soccer but also in the international game, a role that earned him the name Indonesia's soccer diplomat.

He was a founding member of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) in 1984 and a vice president of the federation.

He was also the Honorary Life Vice President of the Asian Football Confederation and a member of the FIFA Media Committee.

Nabon was elected secretary-general of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) in 1991, but was replaced by Nugraha Besoes after two years because of his deteriorating health.

Nugraha praised Nabon for his work in the international game and for helping Indonesian soccer out onto the international stage.

In 2000, FIFA awarded Nabon the FIFA Order of Merit for his contributions and service to the sport.

AFF president Tengku Tan Sri Ahmad Rithaudeen said on AFF's website, www.aseanfootball.com: "AFF was sad to hear of (Nabon's) demise. He was a great football statesman and will be sorely missed. On behalf of the AFF and the Council, I would like to extend our deepest condolences to his family."