India's football jewel PK Banerjee turns 75

New Delhi: Even as Indian football grapples with a plethora of problems trying to protect its identity and existence, Thursday is one such day it could look up to a man who is a living example of what the beautiful game meant to this country. Pradeep Kumar Banerjee, or simply, PK da turns 75 today. A philanthropic organisation in Barasat has organised for a small function this evening to celebrate his birthday, and among others, actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay, a close friend of PK, is expected to attend the function.

Considered to be one of India's finest footballers, PK Banerjee burst onto the scene as a rampaging 18-year-old, turning out for Mohun Bagan in 1954. He then moved on to Eastern Railway FC, where he played with great distinction. The Kolkata Maidan stood witness to his brilliance as he terrorised every defence, and topped it up with his trademark thunderbolt of a shot. An Olympian at the age of 20, he led India in the 1960 Rome Olympics, where his famous goal against a mighty France drew praise from many an international player.

PK was awarded the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1961, becoming one of the first few awardees. He also led India to the gold medal in the 1962 Jakarta Asiad, besides winning many more laurels for the country. A prolific scorer, PK struck 65 times in his 84 internationals, but recurring injuries eventually forced him to hang up his boots at the age of 31.

But his love for the game drew him back soon enough, this time as East Bengal coach as he guided them to six consecutive wins in the Calcutta League. In between, PK coached the Indian team for the qualifiers for the 1972 Munich games too. In 1977, he guided Mohun Bagan to a historic feat, winning the IFA Shield, Rovers Cup and Durand Cup. A master tactician, who was famed for his 'vocal tonics', PK was instrumental in negating the threat of the explosive Nigerian striker Cheema Okorie in the '80s, helping East Bengal to many more trophies.

He had stints with the Tata Football Academy too, as a Technical Director, helping chart grassroots football, as TFA unearthed one talent after another. A Padmashree awardee in 1991, PK was also conferred with the ultimate honour by FIFA, the Indian Player of the Century in 2004.

Cerebral hemorrhage slowed him down in 2006, but even now, the vocal tonic remains intact. A distinguished public speaker, PK is still called on by eminent football personalities who seek to build their imprints in the country.

While the embarrassingly astronomical salaries that foreign imports in the I-League now draw were unheard of in his days, the living legend still holds his place in the first list of Indian football - a hero that we are all proud of.

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