Indian football lost its biggest icons: Shabbir on Chuni Goswami and PK Banerjee

JAIPUR: Former national captain and celebrated coach Shabbir Ali paid rich tributes to “two of the biggest footballing icons” - Subimal ‘Chuni’ Goswami and Pradip Kumar Banerjee - who went for their heavenly abode within six weeks’ time. While PK passed away on March 20 at age 83 due to prolonged illness, Chuni suffered a cardiac arrest at a Kolkata hospital at age 82 on April 30.
Both P.K.and Chuni formed the golden generation of footballers who together lead Team India to a historic 1962 Asian Games gold medal and a silver medal at the 1964 Asian Cup.
“It’s sad that two of the great Indian legends died within 40 days. It’s a huge loss for the country as they brought immense wealth of experience. ‘Chuni’ da was the most stylish footballer of the country, not only on the field but off the field too. He was a gem of a person and it was a pleasure to interact with him. His immaculate dressing made an instant statement. He had a class of his own. His cricketing prowess is well documented. ‘Chuni’ da captained the Bengal team in the Ranji Trophy and used to play tennis also. He acted in a couple of Bengali movies too. Having such all-round quality is pretty rare,” Ali told TOI.
Ali, who captained the Indian team to a memorable joint championship with mighty Iran in the Asian Youth Championship in 1974, expressed happiness to play under PK, then coach and manager, in numerous international meets in 1981-82.
“PK da was the greatest player and coach in his time. Not playing for the Big 3 (Mohun Bagan, East Bengal & Mohammedan Sporting Club) in Kolkata and getting a chance in the Indian team was a big thing that time. PK da not only got a chance but established himself as a super striker. As coach, he kept the players tension free and in a good mood with his vocal tonic. He used to take the best out of a player both during practise and in a match. I was lucky to play under him in the Indian team in 1981 and 1982. I was the captain of the team in 1981 which participated in international events like the Kings Cup (Bangkok). I also led the team in North Korea, PyongYang and Merdeka tournaments. India came third in the Merdeka meet after a gap of 11 years. All thanks to the encouragement by PK da,” Ali recalled.
“PK da was not someone to mince words. When I joined the senior football camp in 1974 along with other youth team players for Merdeka Football Tournament in Kuala Lumpur, during the training in front of all coaches and players, PK da presented glimpses of the 1962 Asian Games win and how players ( Chuni, Balaram, Jarnail and others) put up a strong performance against tough opponents. He told us that being a senior team member our responsibility has increased and that we need to deliver and give our best,” Ali added.
Remembering the time when he received the Dhyan Chand Award in 2011, Ali said that an acknowledgement by ‘Chuni’ da always seemed a bigger honour to him.
“After I got the Dhyan Chand Award, we met in a Kolkata Police tournament function. Others were also there to wish him, but as he saw me he just came, hugged and congratulated me for getting the award. That was a huge thing coming from him. Chuni da and myself went together to Nowgong, Assam on an invitation from the Chief Minister for a football tournament final in 2012. As we were discussing football, he was telling the dignitaries about the 1962 Asian Games win in the final against all odds. After that he told me that you also did a big thing by becoming joint champion with Iran in 1974,” Ali signed off.