MALAYSIAN football lost one of its pioneer referees with the death of DSP (Rtd) Jaswant Singh Sran yesterday. He was 80.
The former Fifa referee was always a commanding figure on the pitch and had officiated many key matches involving legends such as Datuk Soh Chin Aun and the late Datuk R. Arumugam in the 1960s. 1970s and 1980s.
Among the referees and linesmen of his generation were S. Kathirvale, Mohd Noh Saud, Othman Omar and Koh Guan Kiat.
Jaswant, who had also served in the police force at Bukit Aman, continued as a referee assessor after retiring as a referee from national and international level.
He was also the founder of the Cheras-based Malays, Indian, Chinese and Others Football Club (MICO FC) in the 1970s and played a key role in running the team.
A founding member of the Kuala Lumpur Football Association (KLFA), which were set up in 1975, Jaswant was a key figure in the development of referees in Kuala Lumpur.
His friends described him as a jovial, caring gentleman who was committed in whatever he did.
The FA of Malaysia conveyed their condolences to Jaswant’s family yesterday.