Tributes Pour In for Gift Raikhan, Influential Indian Football Coach
Remembering Gift Raikhan
New Delhi, June 22: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) expressed deep sorrow over the unexpected passing of Gift Raikhan, the former head coach of NEROCA FC, who died at the age of 45.
Raikhan was a prominent figure in Indian football, particularly known for his impactful coaching career that began in Manipur. His contributions to the sport at both club and state levels were significant, as highlighted by the AIFF.
His most notable tenure was with NEROCA FC, where he coached from 2015 to 2026. Under his leadership, the club achieved a historic milestone by winning the I-League 2nd Division title in the 2016-17 season, which allowed them to ascend to the top tier of Indian football for the first time.
In their inaugural I-League season in 2017-18, NEROCA impressively finished as runners-up. Raikhan's exceptional coaching during that period earned him the prestigious Syed Abdul Rahim Award for Best Coach in the I-League.
Following his time at NEROCA, he took the reins at Aizawl FC for the 2018-19 I-League season before returning to NEROCA for additional stints. Most recently, he was at the helm during the 2025-26 I-League 2 season.
On the state level, Raikhan also led the Manipur team in the Santosh Trophy for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. Additionally, he served as the Technical Director for Gokulam Kerala FC in 2021.
Before transitioning to coaching, Gift Raikhan had a successful playing career as a left-back, representing teams such as Bengal Mumbai FC, Churchill Brothers, HAL, Indian Bank, Vasco SC, BEML, and Pune FC. Notably, he was part of the Churchill Brothers squad that finished as runners-up in the National Football League during the 2001-02 season.
The AIFF, along with the entire Indian football community, mourns the loss of Gift Raikhan and pays tribute to his significant contributions to the sport as both a player and a coach. His commitment to fostering talent and advancing the game, especially in Manipur, will be fondly remembered.