Sachin Tendulkar Pays Tributes
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar has paid tributes to the Indian football icon Pradip Kumar Banerjee who passed away on Friday. Banerjee, who was affectionately called P.K.Banerjee was a former national football captain and technical director.
He died after a prolonged illness at the age of 83. Sachin posted a picture of him and Saurav Ganguly standing beside the footballer on his Twitter.
He also put a comment which read,” Heartfelt condolences on the passing of the great Indian footballer PK Banerjee! I have fond memories of meeting him on a few occasions and the positivity he spread. May his soul Rest In Peace.”
Along with Sachin, Indian football captain Sunil Chettri also paid condolences to Banerjee. He wrote on his Twitter, “I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. PK Banerjee as well as to the entire Indian football fraternity. He was a pioneer in every sense of the word, and his achievements will forever have a place in Indian footballing history. Rest in peace.”
Former captain and renowned football player Baichung Bhutia described Banerjee as a father figure and said his death was a big loss for Indian football.
He also told,” He was one of the greatest footballers and coaches India has ever seen. I was fortunate to play one of my greatest matches under his coaching.”
Mohun Bhagan legend Subrata Bhattacharya said,” He taught us what no one ever could. As a player and coach his contribution to Indian football can never be matched. He taught us how to play with Pele and made us the stars they wanted to be.”
Banerjee Was Part Of Indian Team Which Won 1962 Asian Games Gold
Banerjee was the first football player to receive Arjuna Award in 1961. He was later awarded the Padma Shri in 1990.
The football icon played for India in 84 matches where he scored 65 goals. He was a member of the 1962 Asian Games Indian team which won the gold medal. He was awarded the Fifa Order Of Merit, the highest honour awarded by FIFA.
