Former Indian footballer Chuni Goswami passed away around 5 PM in Kolkata on Thursday due to cardiac arrest.
The iconic sportsperson, who also played first-class cricket for Bengal, was 82 and breathed his last at a private hospital. He is survived by his wife Basanti and son Sudipto.
"He suffered a cardiac arrest and died in the hospital at around 5pm," a family source told PTI.
Goswami was suffering from underlying ailments, including sugar, prostrate and nerve problems.
Goswami played 50 matches for India as a footballer from 1956 to 1964.
As a cricketer, he represented Bengal in 46 first-class games between 1962 and 1973.
Goswami always donned the Mohun Bagan jersey and is a club legend.
Another legendary Indian Footballer and a fine first class cricketer has left us today. Rest in eternal peace Shri. Chuni Goswami. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.#ChuniGoswami #RIPLegend #IndianFootball @IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/UT70VJsfBj — Praful Patel (@praful_patel) April 30, 2020
Goswami, PK Banerjee, who also died recently, and Tulsidas Balaram formed a deadly forward-line during the 'Golden Era' of Indian football when the country was considered one of the Asian powerhouses.
Goswami won the Best Striker of Asia Award in 1962.
For his service to Indian football, he was conferred with Arjuna Award (1963) and Padma Shri (1983).
The Indian Postal Department issued a commemorative stamp on his 82nd birthday in January to recognise his contribution to the game in the country.
Goswami played for a single club, Mohun Bagan, throughout his career before his retirement in 1968.
He captained the club in five seasons from 1960 to 1964. He was conferred with Mohun Bagan Ratna in 2005.
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