Tributes pour in for Chuni Da

Heartfelt tributes poured in from all corners for former India football captain Subimal 'Chuni' Goswami, who died at the age of 82 in Kolkata on Thursday.

Legendary singer Kabir Suman recalled memories with the former football captain.

Suman recalled in a Facebook post: "When I came to Kolkata, I was 4 years old. After coming to Kolkata, I came close to football. Chuni Goswami was a favourite player of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal as well. Chuni was from undivided Bangladesh so it was a pride for East Bengal supporters. He was an icon for me. His smiling face was a positive power for us. There were talks that he didn't score goal against East Bengal, because he was a 'Bangal'. I wrote a song on Manna da and Chuni. I never played football but it was a dream for me. I met him in a program and went to touch his feet for blessings. He felt uneasy but I said, 'you are my icon'. So, people think of Uttam Kumar, Manna De as icons but you are my icon. Chuni motivated me to bring variety in my singing skills. He played football and cricket simultaneously, so I felt I can also sing variety of songs. From my childhood to teenage he was like a role model for me".

From Sunil Gavaskar to Sunil Chettri, cricket and football stood united in grief for the loss of Goswami, considered a colossus in Indian sports.

Born in Kishoreganj district of undivided Bengal, the striker played 50 international matches between 1956 and 1964, including the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

Besides captaining India to the Asian Games gold medal in 1962, he was also a part of the silver-winning team in the 1964 Asia Cup in Israel, which remains India's best performance in the continental showpiece till date.

He was among the rare few players who played multiple sports. Apart from leading the Indian football team to victory in the 1962 Asian Cup, Goswami also played 46 domestic matches in the Ranji Trophy.

"Today is a truly depressing day. First Rishi (Kapoor) and now Chuni da have left us. Both champions and legends in their craft. The world will be the poorer for their departure to the Heavens. RIP," said cricketing great Gavaskar.

"Chuni was a fantastic dribbler. His close control was superb. But those weren't the biggest attributes of his game. His greatness lay in his brain. Great players play with their brains, which sets them apart with regards to decision-making. And decision-making separates a great footballer from a good one," Tulsidas Balaram, Goswami's India teammate and a part of Indian football's 'Three Musketeers' – PK Banerjee, Chuni and Balaram – told The Indian Express.

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia called him the first superstar of Indian football.

"It's a big loss for Indian football in two-three months. First PK Banerjee (who died on March 20) and now Chuni Goswami. He was a true sporting icon. He was the first superstar of Indian football."

Former cricketer Dilip Doshi, who played under Goswami in the Bengal team, said he learnt a lot from the versatile athlete.

"He was India's all-round sportsman and much to learn from in fitness and fighting spirit. I had the privilege to play with him for a few years when I made my debut for Bengal."