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. 

End of an era, Olympian Ahmed Khan no more

Indian Football legend, double Olympian Ahamed Khan, 90, expired at his residence today at 3.30. Born in December 24, 1926, Ahmed Khan started his football career playing for his Father Baba Khan's Team Bangalore Crescents, later attained prominence playing for Bangalore Muslims, a prominent team of the 1940's.

Khan represented India in the 1948 Olympics at London. Owing of his immense talent and high skill, players and the Press came and touched his feet to ensure that no adhesive or gum like thing is attached to his feet. His ball control earned the sobriquet Snake Charmer of Indian Football. 

After winning the Rovers Cup for Bangalore Muslims in 1948, he migrated to East Bengal Club and represented till 1960 and for the Famous Five of East Bengal, others being Sale, Dhanaraj, Appa Rao, and Venkatesh. They formed the most lethal forward line of the 1950 to 1960 era and won almost all the major tournaments of the country. They were popularly known as the 5 Pandavas of India Football.

He was one of the few players who had the honour of playing in two Olympics and two Asian Games. Represented India in 48 (London) and 52 (Helsinki) Olympics and 51 (Delhi) and 54 (Manila) Asian Games.  

During Ahmed Khan's playing days he had millions of fans. Silver Screen idol Dilip Kumar who had a huge fan following was himself a great fan of Ahmed Khan.

Ahmed Khan is survived by his Wife Rabia Begum, Son Majid Khan and Daughter Parveen Begum.

His body is kept at his house at Makan road, Coles Park, opp Church-Makan road. Funeral and Namaz-e-Janza will take place tomorrow at Haji Ismail Sait Mosque, Mosque Road, Bangalore at 01:30 PM, and the burial thereafter at Tannery road graveyard. 

Condolences on Shanmugam’s death

Thulukhanamm Shanmugam born June 19, 1920 to December 14, 2012, 11pm, respiratory problem

A widower Shanmugam has left with two sons and daughters eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several football fans.

Shanmugam started his career with Sullivan Police as inspector, later he served during the reign of Governor Mohanlal Sukadia and Dharma Veer as a pilot officer.

Shanmugam was conferred with state Dasara award. Goa government awarded him during his stint as coach there.

Shanmugam made debut for his country on March 7, 1951 against Afghanistan in the semifinal of Asian Games in New Delhi. He played against Yugoslavia in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. Other than that, Shanmugam represented his state Mysore in Santosh Trophy from 1944 thru 1954. 

Also tasted success as Karnataka’ coach when he lifted Santosh Trophy in 1968-67 at Cuttack. He went to Japan to complete coaches’ course along with PK Banerjee and Jarnail Singh.

Shanmugam had a decade-long association with Goa, he coached Salgaonkar SC for several years and won national-level championship. He is instrumental in identifying Shanmugan Venkatesh, he took Venkatesh to Goa, and later Venkatesh went on representing India.

Karnataka Sports Minister Appachu Ranjan, State and District football association office bearers visited his house to pay last tribute.

All India Football Federation (AIFF) condole the demise, Mr. Kushal Das, General Secretary of AIFF said, “Shanmugam will be alive in his achievements. He was a legendary footballer and someone who has been the inspiration of so many generations. May he rest in peace.”

Pic courtesy: BDFA, ESPN-StarSports

T Shanmugam no more

Olympian and Asian Gold medalist football player Thulukhanamm Shanmugam passed away last night at his home town in Bangalore. 

Shanmugam was an integral part of the Indian football team 1952 Helsinki Olympic. Also, he was in the Gold winning team of the 1951 Delhi Asian Games. 

Shanmugam celebrated his 93rd birthday in the month of June this year. Even in his nineties he was seen at various footballing events encouraging the young generation.  

Last year around this time, we witnessed a loss with the sad demise Olympian K V Varadaraj, and this time a colossal loss to the football fraternity of our country.

Pic courtesy: BDFA, ESPN-StarSports

Olympian Shanmugam turns 93 tomorrow

T Shanmugam, an integral member of India's 1952 Olympics football team turns 93 tomorrow. Also, the football legend was a part of India's gold medal team at the 1951 Delhi Asian Games. 

Birthday wishes Sir!