Legendary Chuni Goswami dies at 82: Twitter reactions

ST Staff
09.00 PM

Chuni Goswami who led India to the 1962 Asian Games gold-winning team, died at the age of 82 on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Former Indian footballer Subimal Goswami, better known as Chuni Goswami, who led India to the 1962 Asian Games gold-winning team, died at the age of 82 on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The nation was already grieving the loss of Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor when the news of Goswami's death dawned upon all.

Goswami had also played first-class cricket for Bengal.

Goswami, who took his last breath at a hospital in Kolkata, was suffering from principal ailments, including sugar, nerve and prostate problems. Goswami played football for India in between 1956 to 1964 whereas he also played 46 first-class cricket matches between 1962 and 1973.

Born on January 15, 1938, in the Kishoreganj district of undivided Bengal of British India, Chuni remained loyal to local giants Mohan Bagan FC, even rejecting a Tottenham Hotspur offer.

Chuni Goswami, PK Banerjee, who died recently and Tulsidas Balaram were a successful forward-line during the years 1951-1962 which is known as 'Golden Era' of Indian football when India was measured one of the best football team in the Asian continent.

For his service to football in India, he was conferred with Arjuna Award in 1963 and Padma Shri in 1983.

The Indian Postal Department delivered an honouring stamp on his 82nd birthday in January to identify his contribution to the game in India.

The versatile veteran passed on the same day when Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor bid adieu to the world.

Chunni Goswami is survived by his wife Basanti and son Sudipto.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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