Football legend Chuni Goswami passes away at the age of 82
Kolkata/IBNS: Indian football legend Chuni Goswami passed away at the age of 82 here on Thursday.
He breathed his last at 5 pm.
Goswami, who was suffering from ailments with sugar, prostrate and nerve, was admitted to a city hospital earlier in the day.
He had joined Mohun Bagan Junior Team at the age of eight in 1946. He continued to play for the club till his retirement in 1968.
Goswami had led the Indian football team to Asian Games Gold Medal in 1962.
Besides being a footballer, Goswami had played cricket too.
He had played Ranji Trophy as a Bengal cricketer.
As a first-class cricketer, Goswami had scored 1,592 runs in 46 matches and picked 47 wickets.
Mourning his death, West Bengl Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said Goswami's demise is a 'monumental loss.'
"I am deeply saddened to know that football legend Chuni Goswami is no more. A real star and a football icon, he was amongst the greatest players that Indian football has ever seen. He was a versatile personality who brought many laurels to the country and to Bengal," Banerjee wrote in Twitter.
I am deeply saddened to know that football legend Chuni Goswami is no more. A real star and a football icon, he was amongst the greatest players that Indian football has ever seen. He was a versatile personality who brought many laurels to the country and to Bengal. (1/2)
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 30, 2020
"While his demise is a monumental loss to the world of sports & particularly football, Bengal, with a great passion for the sport has lost one of her greatest sons. My deepest condolences to Chuni Goswami’s family, friends & innumerable fans. May his soul rest in peace," she added.
While his demise is a monumental loss to the world of sports & particularly football, Bengal, with a great passion for the sport has lost one of her greatest sons. My deepest condolences to Chuni Goswami’s family, friends & innumerable fans. May his soul rest in peace. (2/2)
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 30, 2020
Leaving behind a long legacy, Goswami helped Indian football taste international exposure.
Goswami made his international debut for India in 1956 during the team's 1-0 victory over the Chinese Olympic team.
He went on to play for India in 50 international matches including in Olympics, Asian Games, Asia Cup and Merdeka Cup.
Besides winning the Asian Games Gold Medal in 1962, he captained Indian to bag a Silver in the 1964 Asia Cup in Tel Aviv and in the Merdeka Cup.
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