The former India captain breathed his last in Kolkata on Thursday following a prolonged illness.
DOHA: With Subimal ‘Chuni’ Goswami gone, Indian football has lost one of their stalwarts from the golden generation that saw India win their second Asian Games gold in 1962.
The former India captain breathed his last in Kolkata following a prolonged illness.
Franco Fortunato, who was a member of the 1962 Asian Games team that won gold in Jakarta (Indonesia), paid tributes to Goswami, who was 82.
“Chuni and I played together for the Indian National Team for nine years. We were very close and shared so many secrets. But today as my friend has left me for his heavenly abode, my heart seems empty at times.
“My heart tells me that with the ball in my feet, and out of habit when I look up for him to make that run on the field, I will only see a vacuum. But my heart is still full of Chuni, and for Chuni. He will always be with me,” Franco told the AIFF website.
Chuni led the team to a triumph that’s still unmatched in Indian football. Perhaps, their only glory at any major international competition.
“Yesterday we bid goodbye to another stalwart of Indian sports. Part of the Gold Medal winning football team from the 1962 Asian Games. #ChuniGoswami ji will be remembered for his immense contribution to the sport and our country! May his soul rest in peace,” India’s former sprint queen PT Usha said on his demise.
“On the field, he was total magic and a complete player. He could dribble, shoot, pass. His ball control was amazing. Chuni was a treat to watch. He was pure entertainment and a complete package,” said Franco.
Goswami made his International debut against Burma (now Myanmar) in the Asian Games in Tokyo in 1958.
He even scored on debut as India rallied to win 3-2 on the day. He went on to represent India in 36 official International matches, captaining in 16 of them, and netting 13 goals.
Besides two editions of the Asian Games, he was also part of India’s Olympic squad in the Rome Olympics in 1960.
He also captained India to the final of the AFC Asian Cup in Tel Aviv in 1964 and was part of India’s campaign in the pre-Olympic qualification in 1959 (in Kabul), 1960 (in Kolkata and Jakarta), 1963 (in Colombo as captain), and in 1964 in (Tehran and Calcutta).
Former Indian cricket captain and current manager Ravi Shastri said, “#ChuniGoswami – Easily one of India’s best all-round sportsman with ball sense in his blood. May his soul rest in peace.”
