New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) condoled the demise of the 1970 Asian Games bronze medallist Subhas Bhowmick on Saturday.
The former player passed away at the age of 72 in Kolkata.
Bhowmick attained the unique distinction of having gained international glory both as a player and as a coach.
Born on October 2, 1950, Bhowmick made his international debut for India on July 30, 1970, in the Merdeka Cup against Formosa.
He represented India in 24 international matches and scored 9 goals in the process – including a hat-trick against the Philippines in the Merdeka Cup in 1971 – a match India won 5-1.
Besides winning the bronze medal at the 1970 Asian Games in Bangkok, Bhowmick was also a triumphant member of the Indian team which finished joint winners at the Pesta Sukan Cup against South Vietnam in Singapore (1971) and a bronze in the Merdeka Cup in 1970.
AIFF President Praful Patel said: “It is 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.”
Added AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das: “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.”
At the domestic level, Bhowmick represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 (captain) and in 1975, helping to win the tournament four times (1969, 1971, 1972, 1975), scoring 24 goals.
Bhowmick was a reputed coach. He coached India in the VIth President Gold Cup in Dhaka in 1989.
On 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 2002 to 2004, the San Miguel Cup in Kathmandu in 2004, the National Football League in 2002-03 and 2003-04, the IFA Shield in 2002, the Independence Day Cup in 2002 and Durand Cup in 2002.
He also coached Mohun Bagan to win the Sikkim Gold Cup in 1992.
As a Technical Director, he was involved in Churchill Brothers winning the Hero I-League in 2012-13. In 2017, Bhowmick was awarded the East Bengal Lifetime Achievement Award.
