Football legend Tulsidas Balaram passes away at the age of 87

Tulsidas Balaram, an Indian football player who won a gold medal at the Asian Games and was an Olympian, passed away in Kolkata on Thursday after a protracted illness, according to people close to his family. Balaram, who was 87 and widowed, resided in an apartment in Uttarpara beside the Hooghly River. On December 26 of the previous year, the 1962 Asiad champion was admitted to the hospital for treatment of a urinary infection and stomach distension.

A source close to the family told PTI that “his health did not improve and he breathed his death about 2pm today.”

He continued, “We are appreciative of the state government and the sports minister Aroop Biswas for their excellent care of him in his final days.

Balaram played football in India during its golden age in the 1950s and 1960s with superstars like Chuni Goswami and PK Banerjee, who collectively became known as the “holy trio.”

Balaram, a recipient of the Arjuna award, is well known for his Olympic achievements in Rome in 1960.

India, who was put in the “group of death” alongside Hungary, France, and Peru, lost the opening match against Hungary 1-2, although Balaram brought honor to himself by scoring in the 79th minute.

A few days later, Balaram once again shown his elegance as India came dangerously close to shocking France.

Due to ill health, Balaram, who primarily played as a left flank or center forward, retired in 1963.