The All India Football Federation commemorated Golden Jubilee of the Indian crew’s triumph within the AFC Youth Championship in 1974 by felicitating the crew members at a operate right here on Tuesday.
The well-attended ceremony remembered the exploits of the Indian crew which was declared the joint winner with Iran in Bangkok after the groups have been tied 2-2 within the ultimate even after extra-time. This was the final notable triumph for Indian within the worldwide area after the seniors had settled for a bronze within the 1970 Asian Games (additionally in Bangkok).
AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey introduced mementos to 6 members of the squad, together with captain Shabbir Ali, C.C. Jacob, Dilip Palit, Shishir Guha Dastidar, Ranjit (Gobinda Das) and S.P. Kumar, who may make themselves accessible.
The coach of the successful squad, Arun Ghosh, couldn’t attend the operate owing to well being causes. His son-in-law, former National desk tennis champion Nupur Santra, acquired the souvenir on his behalf.
“For almost five decades after India’s independence, we never focused on utilising the international friendly windows, the FIFA World Cup or even to collaborate with the world of football. We chose not to look beyond the Olympics and the Asian Games at that time. That seems to have cost us important international exposure,” stated the AIFF president.
“We have already lost those five decades, which is a long bridge to build when we know that others are way ahead,” he stated.