1960 Rome Olympics heroes felicitated

[Sir john]

Years flew thin as players of another era re-lived the golden phase of Indian football at the National Stadium here today. Age has withered their physical appearances, but the memories of their youthful exploits on the field were still vivid in their minds as Sports Minister Ajay Maken honoured the veterans of India’s campaign in the 1960 Rome Olympics. India had created a sensation in Rome when they had held France 1-1 and lost narrowly 1-2 to soccer powerhouse Hungary. In a magnanimous gesture, Maken invited his immediate predecessor in the Sports Ministry, Dr M.S. Gill, to do the honours by presenting a silver plaque, a shawl and a cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh each to the 1960 Olympic football stars. Gill, at his time, had spent nearly Rs 8 crore each in the three years of his tenure for the development of football in India. Dr Gill had also honoured the living members of the Indian squad for the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He said it was apt that the football veterans were honoured at the National Stadium where India had lifted the soccer gold in the inaugural Asian Games in 1951. “I still remember the goal scored by Mewa Lal,†he recollected. Those honoured today were P.K. Banerjee, Arun Lal Ghosh, Chuni Goswami, wife of late D Kannan, Fortunata A Franco, O Chandrashekhar, wife of late Peter Thangaraj, S.S. Hakim, S.S.H. Hamid, S. Narayanan, Simon Sunder Raj and Tulsidas Balaram. The irrepressible P.K. Banerjee held the centre stage with his forceful presence and forthright views. The still flamboyant Goswami paid glowing tribute to M.S. Dhoni’s feat of winning the World Cup. “It was a tremendous achievement, though cricket is played only in a few countries,†observed Goswami, who had the unique distinction of playing football and leading Bengal in the Ranji Trophy. Later, Maken said that Sports Ministry would give priority to football from now on. :hatsoff:

[mysterio86]

I never knew about this. Holding Hungary of 60's to 2-1 loss, is incredible. Nice read