Kolkata, Dec 31: Former India international goalkeeper Kanai Sarkar has died after a prolonged illness, All India Football Federation sources said on Friday. Sarkar, 78, breathed his last on Wednesday night.
One of the prominent Indian custodians in the 1960s, Sarkar turned out for all three major clubs in the country then – Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting.
He made his national team debut in September 1971 in a friendly match against the USSR and was also a part of the Bengal team which went to Tehran to participate in the Asian Club Cup in 1970.
Sarkar bagged numerous honours at the domestic level as well. He won the Santosh Trophy with Bengal in 1969 and 1971.
In a two-year stint with East Bengal, Sarkar won the Calcutta Football League twice, the IFA Shield once and the Durand Cup as well. He turned out for Mohun Bagan only for a year, and was part of the team which won the Bordoloi Trophy and the Durand Cup.
Condoling Sarkar’s demise, All India Football Federation President Praful Patel said: “His invaluable contribution to Indian football will always remain with us. I share the grief.”
