Former Indian footballer Surajit Sengupta passed away on Thursday after battling to Covid-19. Surajit Sengupta’s death came as a big shock as East Bengal Legend Subhas Bowmick, a fellow of Surajit Sengupta, died a month ago.
On January 23, Sengupta was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata. Surajit Sengupta was on life support for the past ten days, but his condition remained unchanged. Sengupta breathed his last on Thursday afternoon; the East Bengal Captain succumbed to the virus.
Surajit Sengupta started his football career with Kolkata’s Kidderpore Club. He also played for East Bengal, Mohun Began, and Mohammed Sporting. Surajit Sengupta played for all 3 Kolkata clubs.
He began his football career with Mohun Bagan in 1973, and then he played for Mohammedan Sporting and East Bengal.
Sengupta was a part of the East Bengal Squad that won the IFA Shield in 1975, crushing Mohun Bagan 5-0. He even scored goals for the team against Mohun Bagan. Sengupta has also represented India in the Asian Games in 1970, played for the India Football Team, and won a bronze medal in the Asian Games.
With his goal-scoring tricks and brilliant game strategies, Sengupta emerged as India’s Finest footballer in the 70s and 80s. Surajit Sengupta’s legendary status was created when he played for East Bengal.
He won six consecutive Calcutta Football League titles, six IFA Shield crowns, and three Durand Cups between 1970 and 1976.
Surajit Sengupta also captained the reds and golds. That time was considered East Bengal’s golden era in Indian Football.
The most memorable Sengupta played was IFA Shield 1975 against Mohun Bagan. The game resulted in one of the biggest rivalries in history, Mohan Bagan vs. East Bengal – one of the oldest football rivalries in the world.
Sengupta’s brilliant goal helped East Bengals mark a 5-0 win over their rivals. Sengupta represented India in 14 international matches and at the Asian Games in 1974 and 1978. Surajit was an eloquent writer and wrote many football editorials and news for various dailies after his retirement.
After playing for Mohammedan sporting, Sengupta played his last football game for Mohun Bagan.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled Surajit Sengupta’s death and quoted him as a ‘heartthrob of football fans and an outstanding national sportsman.’
Published By: Jaspreet Singh
Edited By: Kritika Kashyap
