Captain of the Indian football team that won the 1962 Asian Games gold medal at Jakarta and a decade-long career in first class cricket!
Passing away of Subimal 'Chuni' Goswami has indeed robbed the country of a true sporting icon who strode the Kolkata maidan like a colossus. His sporting achievements are unparalleled even after several decades ...
Scoring 200 goals for his only club Mohun Bagan for whom he turned out from 1954 to 1968, football was without doubt his first love. Chuni-da made his international debut in the 1958 Asian Games at Tokyo, scoring a goal against Burma in his maiden appearance. Four years later the centre forward was leading the Indian team to the gold medal in Jakarta. That he was captain of the national team in 16 of his 36 appearances showed how valuable his leadership was to the side.
Added to that were his 47 Ranji Trophy appearances for Bengal who he represented as a true all-rounder from 1962-63 season to the 1972-73 season, including an appearance in the title clash. He even captained Bengal in the 1968-69 season, the same year he hung up his football boots. His 1592 first class runs included a century and 7 fifties. Add to that 47 wickets and his true value to the side becomes apparent.
Arjuna Award in 1963 and Padma Shri 20 years later were just desserts for the man whose exploits on the tennis courts of Kolkata's South Club is stuff of legends. Ask Davis Cupper Akhtar Ali!
Gifted with a rare "ball sense", he could be a champion at any sport he tried. No wonder the sports world looked at the man with a glamorous and charming personality with awe!
The aura never diminished even with the passing years. In fact, it was strengthened even more as people came to realise what a rare talent Chuni-da was. His ready wit easily endeared him to his myriad fans who will no doubt miss the legend that finally bid adieu to life at 82 following a prolonged battle with age-related ailments.
Sports stars may come and go but there will only be one Chuni-Da!
Passing away of Subimal 'Chuni' Goswami has indeed robbed the country of a true sporting icon who strode the Kolkata maidan like a colossus. His sporting achievements are unparalleled even after several decades ...
Scoring 200 goals for his only club Mohun Bagan for whom he turned out from 1954 to 1968, football was without doubt his first love. Chuni-da made his international debut in the 1958 Asian Games at Tokyo, scoring a goal against Burma in his maiden appearance. Four years later the centre forward was leading the Indian team to the gold medal in Jakarta. That he was captain of the national team in 16 of his 36 appearances showed how valuable his leadership was to the side.
Added to that were his 47 Ranji Trophy appearances for Bengal who he represented as a true all-rounder from 1962-63 season to the 1972-73 season, including an appearance in the title clash. He even captained Bengal in the 1968-69 season, the same year he hung up his football boots. His 1592 first class runs included a century and 7 fifties. Add to that 47 wickets and his true value to the side becomes apparent.
Arjuna Award in 1963 and Padma Shri 20 years later were just desserts for the man whose exploits on the tennis courts of Kolkata's South Club is stuff of legends. Ask Davis Cupper Akhtar Ali!
Gifted with a rare "ball sense", he could be a champion at any sport he tried. No wonder the sports world looked at the man with a glamorous and charming personality with awe!
The aura never diminished even with the passing years. In fact, it was strengthened even more as people came to realise what a rare talent Chuni-da was. His ready wit easily endeared him to his myriad fans who will no doubt miss the legend that finally bid adieu to life at 82 following a prolonged battle with age-related ailments.
Sports stars may come and go but there will only be one Chuni-Da!
No comments:
Post a Comment