Pradyut Barman, India’s goalkeeper of the gold medal winning side from the 1962 Asian Games has sadly passed away at a hospital in Kolkata earlier today. He was aged 81. The keeper who was considered as one of the best in the country during the 50s and 60s was pronounced dead at SSKM hospital in his hometown at 4:40 pm. He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. Barman was earlier hospitalized due to multi-organ failure.
Barman, who played with Mohun Bagan for four years between 1964 and 1967 had a storied career that saw him win silverware wherever he went. The custodian played an important in India’s gold-winning campaign in the 1962 Asian Games. However, he didn’t play in the final when he was surprisingly dropped in favour of Peter Thangaraj.
He was also a part of the Indian contingent that played in the 1964 Asia Cup and the 1965 Merdeka Cup.
The former national keeper’s trophy-laden career included winning the 1958 Kolkata League with Railways, whilst also winning the Santosh Trophy for both Bengal as well as Railways.
His deceased body will be taken to Goshto Paul statue near Eden Garden where football lovers across the city are expected to gather to pay their last respect to the legendary keeper. After that, the body is expected to be taken to his residence at Salt Lake.
Lack of respect?
The family members of the deceased legend, however, were in an unforgiving mood. They cried foul over how the great man had been shown a lack of respect by both Mohun and Eastern Railways. They also criticized the Indian Football Association (IFA) for not a lack of recognition.
Speaking to the media at his death, his son speaking to the media quipped, “My father never got his due respect. People of his age do not want money, and my father never begged in front of anyone throughout his life. We are disappointed and shocked with the attitude of Mohun Bagan and Eastern Railway, for whom my father played. No one from these two clubs were present at the hospital, neither did anyone enquire about his health. In fact, East Bengal sent a club flag and a bouquet as a mark of respect towards my late father.”
However he was grateful to aid he had received from the government officials and his ex-teammates, whom he said were in constant touch with the family in the final hours. “We will remain grateful to the State Sports Minister Arup Biswas and Laxmi Ratan Shukla for the help they extended in the last few days. Ex-footballers like Chuni Goswami and Sukumar Samajpati visited my father while he was admitted.”
It certainly disheartening to see such greats not getting their due respect. Barman is a legend in his own right and we at Sportskeeda extend our deepest condolences to the legend’s family.
