Former Indian footballer, Asian Games medallist Subhas Bhowmick dies at 72

Former Indian footballer and 1970 Asian Games bronze medalist Subhas Bhowmick who attained the unique distinction of having gained International glory both as a player and as a coach passed away in Kolkata on Saturday at the age of 71Born on October 2 1950 Bhowmick made his International debut for India on July 30 1970 in the Merdeka Cup against Farmosa He represented India in 24 International matches and scored nine goals in the process including a hattrick against Philippines in the Merdeka Cup in 1971 a match in which India won 51Besides winning the bronze medal at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok Bhowmick was also a triumphant member of the Indian National team which finished joint winners at Pesta Sukan Cup against South Vietnam in Singapore 1971 and a bronze Medal in the Merdeka Cup in 1970 He was also a member of the Indian team which toured the USSR in 1971At the domestic level Bhowmick represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy in 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 captain and in 1975 winning it four times in 1969197119721975 scoring 24 goalsAt the club level he played for East Bengal in 1969 1973 1974 1975 1979 and scored 82 goals He helped the Red and Golds win the Calcutta Football League in 1973 1974 1975 the IFA Shield in 1973 1974 1975 the Rovers Cup in 1969 1973 the DCM Trophy in 1973 1974 and the Bordoloi Trophy in 1973He also played for Mohun Bagan in 1970 1971 1972 1976 1977 1978 and finished with 84 goals He helped Mohun Bagan to win the Calcutta Football League in 1976 1978 IFA Shield in 1976 jointwinners 1977 1978 jointwinners the Federation Cup in 1978 jointwinners the Rovers Cup in 1970 1971 1972 jointwinners 1977 the Durand Cup in 1977 the Nehru Trophy in 1970 the Bordoloi Trophy in 1976 1977 the Darjeeling Gold Cup in 1976 jointwinners and the Sait Nagjee Trophy in 1978He had earlier started his club career with Rajasthan Club Kolkata in 1968 wherein he scored seven goals in the Calcutta Football League Bhowmick was also a reputed coach having won many laurels He coached India in the VIth President Gold Cup in Dhaka in 1989At the domestic level his biggest achievement as a coach came in 2003 when he coached East Bengal to win the LG Asean Club Cup in Jakarta He also coached East Bengal to win the Kolkata Football League from 20022004 the San Miguel Cup in Kathmandu in 2004 the National Football League backtoback in 200203 and 200304 the IFA Shield in 2002 the Independence Day Cup in 2002 and the Durand Cup in 2002As a Technical Director he was involved in Churchill Brothers winning the Hero ILeague in 201213 Furthermore he also coached Mohun Bagan to win the Sikkim Gold Cup in 1992 He was awarded the East Bengal Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017Praful Patel the President of the All India Football Federation in his condolence message said Its sad to hear that Bhowmickda one of the greatest Footballers of his generation is no more His invaluable contribution to Indian Football will always remain with us and will never be forgotten Indian Football has only got poorer My condolences to his family I share the griefKushal Das the General Secretary of the All India Football Federation in his condolence message said Mr Subhas Bhowmick will always remain alive in his achievements He was a legendary footballer and a visionary coach someone who has been the inspiration for so many generations My condolences to his family May his soul rest in peaceThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever