PAYYANUR: Former Santosh Trophy football player and Kerala Police retired Assistant Commandant M Baburaj passed away on Saturday. He was 60. Born in Annur in 1964, Baburaj began his football career with the Payyanur College team and later became the captain of the same team.

He became active in the police team after being appointed as a Havildar in 1986. In his preferred position as right-back, Baburaj was a crucial presence in the Police team, which included a stellar lineup of stars like U. Sharafali, V.P. Sathyan, I.M. Vijayan, C.V. Pappachan, K.T. Chacko, Liston, Habib Rahman, and others. In his illustrious football career, Baburaj appeared in many tournaments in India and even abroad.

Baburaj, who put on a breathtaking performance in the Santosh Trophy held in Kollam and the two Federation Cups, scored a goal against Kolkata Mohammedans Sporting in the Sree Narayana Cup tournament held in Kannur. He received the Chief Minister's Police Medal for Distinguished Service in 2008.

He is the son of the late Narayan and M. Narayani of Annur. Baburaj leaves behind his wife, U. Pushpa and children, M. Sujin Raj and M. Subin Raj. Daughter-in-law: Pragati Sujin Raj. Siblings: M. Anil Kumar (Retd. Havildar), M. Anithakumari, and late Venugopal.

The funeral will be held today at 10 am at the Moorikoval crematorium.