CALCUTTA (India): Legendary Indian footballer PK Banerjee was shifted to a private hospital off the EM Bypass in the eastern part of the city on Tuesday.
According to the hospital official, the former Indian football coach was admitted to the general ward and undergoing some tests.
The condition of Banerjee, who is also having some nerve-related illness, was stable, he said.
The 83-year-old former Indian captain and Padma Shri awardee was a member of the 1956 Olympics team that finished fourth.
Banerjee, who became a top-notch coach after his playing days, was also one of the top stars in the Indian team that won the Asian Games gold in Jakarta in 1962.
“He was not talking since yesterday and was sleeping more than he usually does. He underwent a sugar test and we are waiting for the report,” a family member said. “We took him to the hospital for a regular check-up.”
Though he has never played for East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, Banerjee had coached both these top clubs besides the national team.
In the later part of his coaching career, Banerjee was appointed as technical director of Mohammedan Sporting in 2003.
In his several historic moments, the erstwhile star also travelled as the technical director with the national team to England in 2000 which was India’s first visit since 1948 London Olympics.
Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn, who is playing the role of Syed Abdul Rahim in the biopic dedicated to the legendary coach, recently met Banerjee who played under Syed Abdul Rahim.
Devgn, who visited the city recently, said that meeting Banerjee was an emotional experience. He revealed that due to his age, he is frail and has difficulty talking but he has been one of the greats who has played the game.
Sir P. K. Banerjee was my coach in the year 1980,the year Majid & Jamshid were joined East Bengal club. I pray to Almighty for his quick recovery.