Asian Games Medallist Sampath K no more

AIFF & KSFA Media 

The star keeper of the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games Bronze-winning Indian Football team Kuppuswamy Sampath passed away yesterday in Bengaluru. He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Born on September 15, 1947, the former India custodian had represented the country in 18 matches, which included the 1970 and 1972 Merdeka Cup, the 1970 Asian Games, and the 1971 Pesta Sukan Cup.

His international career was one strewn with accolades. Apart from the Asian Games when India won the bronze medal, Sampath was also a part of the India team that ended third in the 1970 Merdeka Cup and joint champions of the 1971 Pesta Sukan Cup in Singapore.

In the 1970 Asian Games, the two coaches, GMH Basha and PK Banerjee, had so much faith in him that Sampath was one of the few players in the squad, who figured in all the six matches India played in a span of 11 days. His teammates still recall how Sampath flew like a bird to the far post to save a powerful shot from famed Japan striker Kunishige Kamamoto during the closing stages of the Bronze Medal match. India eventually won the match by a solitary goal.

At the domestic level, Sampath had represented Services (1970-73) and Goa (1974-78) in the Santosh Trophy.

He had also played for the Madras Engineering Group from 1960 to 1972, and for Dempo SC from 1973 to 1978. It was at the latter club where he won the Rovers Cup in 1974 and 1978.

Former India international VP Sathiesh Kumar joins FCBU as their goalkeeping coach

FCBU Media  

FC Bengaluru United have appointed former India goalkeeper VP Sathiesh Kumar as goalkeeping coach for the first team, as they look to bolster their defence ahead of the I-League qualifiers in September. Kumar will work closely with the first team goalkeepers to further strengthen their on-field performance as well as mentor and develop future goalkeepers.

Commenting on his appointment, Kumar said, “I am really happy to be part of the FC Bengaluru United family. The club is run very professionally, and they have a clear goal – to be playing in the top tier of Indian football. What really sets the club apart is how they are laying emphasis on youth development. This sort of clear focus is great - not just for the club, but for the state and Indian football as well.”

The thirty-seven-year-old Kumar brings with him the invaluable experience of being part of and contributing to winning teams during his career – both as a player and as a coach. Kumar won multiple National Football League and I-League titles as a player with East Bengal and Dempo SC. He was part of a similar success story when he was a member of the coaching staff at Chennai City FC when they became I-League champions during the 2018-19 season.

“My primary objective as a goalkeeping coach is to clearly define the role and responsibilities of my goalkeepers,” said Kumar. This will help them in their objective: to not concede any goals in any game and keep a clean sheet. They will also have to contribute to the attack and defence strategies of the team as a whole. Clear role definition will help achieve both these goals.”

Head Coach Richard Hood welcomed the appointment of Kumar to his coaching staff as the team prepares to enter a crucial phase before the beginning of the new domestic season.

“Sathiesh is a fantastic addition to the coaching staff in terms of being a contributor to the kind of football that we want to play here,” said Hood. “He understands our objectives and the process that we aim to follow to achieve them. His involvement will not only help our goalkeepers improve, but his winning mentality and championship experience will help the rest of the team as well.”