Olympian Ahmed Hussain no more

Ahmed Hussein, member of the Indian football team in 1956 Melbourne Olympics where India finished fourth passed away today morning in Bengaluru. A victim of COVID-19, the 89-year-old Ahmed Hussein started his career in Hyderabad but made Bangalore his home for the most part of his life. 

A product of Nizam college Hyderabad, Ahmed Hussein was a tenacious defender known for tight marking and hard tackling. He went on representing India in 1958 Tokyo Asian Games where Indian secured fourth place. He captained India in 1959 Merdeka Tournament in Malaysia where India lost in the final. 

After representing Hyderabad for the first few years, Hussein moved to Calcutta where he represented clubs like Mohammedan Sporting and Mohun Bagan, and the Bengal state in Santosh Trophy. 

Post his playing days, Hussein picked football coaching, got associated with SAI, Bangalore and contributed immensely to Bangalore football. His wards include Carlton Chapman, Karunakar Raj, Dakshina Murthy, Louis Nixon, Annappa Kumar, and so on. 

KSFA and BDFA condoled the demise of Ahmed Hussein. His body was taken to the Shanthi Nagar Burial Ground, and burial took place at 5.30 pm. 

1962 Asian Games gold medalist Ethiraj no more

DE Ethiraj, member of the Indian national football team that won the gold medal in 1962 Asian Games at Jakarta, Indonesia passed away at his residence today at Jogupalye, Bengaluru. 

Ethiraj was employed with Madras Engineering Group (MEG) and played for them in local football. MEG used to be a very strong and polular teams in 60s and Ethiraj was a formidable striker of the team. Before earning a national call, he represented Services in Santosh Trophy, and continued playing in Services colors for many years. 

Ethiraj hailed from city's footballing pocket Ulsoor. His teammate of 1962 Asian Games, football legend Arumainayagam, too come from the same locality.  

His burial will take place today 3 pm at Laksmi Puram Burial Ground, Ulsoor. 

 

Indian Football stalwart Chuni Goswami no more

Chuni Goswami, the Indian Football stalwart who led India to win the gold medal in the 1962 Asian Games in Bangkok expired today evening at a private hospital in Kolkata. 

Chuni-da, as the Arjuna awardee and Padma Shri is fondly known amongst the football supporters. Also, he was a member of the Indian team which finished as second behind hosts Israel in the AFC Asian Cup in 1964. He had scored India’s third goal against the 3-1 victory against Hong Kong en-route to the final.

He is also one of the six Indian Footballers to have received the prestigious Padma Shri Award, others being the Late Gotsho Paul, late Sailen Manna, PK Banerjee, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Sunil Chhetri, along with the Arjuna Award. 

Earlier this year, Chuni Goswami was honoured by the Indian Postal Department, who issued a postal stamp on his 82nd birthday (January 15, 2020). He was the third Indian footballer after the late Gostho Paul (1998), and late Dr Talimeren Ao (2018) on whose name a postal stamp has been issued by the largest postal network in the world. 

Quite ironic that the country lost two football greats, Chuni Goswami and PK Banerjee, in a span of one month.