Kolkata: Kolkata giants East Bengal celebrated it’s 98th Foundation Day at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata on Tuesday by honouring legends like Syed Nayeemuddin, Subhash Bhowmick and hockey great Dhanraj Pillay.
Defender Gurwinder Singh received the “Footballer of the Year” award which included a golden boot and ₹50,000.
Pillay who was awarded with the Bharat Gourav Award for his contribution to Indian hockey said, “, “I have heard about only three teams in Indian football since my childhood – East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting. But I’m extremely happy that they have chosen this award for me. My family too is very much grateful for that.”
He also went on to say that he was extremely honoured to have received an award of this sort from a football club and that East Bengal club has all the necessary facilities that a player of today’s generation requires.
Syed Nayeemuddin was given the Lifetime Achievement award along with Subhas Bhowmick, a legend in East Bengal football history.
While addressing the audience, an emotional Nayeemuddin said, “I’m delighted that East Bengal has chosen me for this award. This is my mother club. Who won’t be happy if someone gets an award from the mother?”.
Subhas Bhowmick, who was a part of the East Bengal team when they defeated arch-rivals Mohun Bagan by a 5-0 margin in the 1975 IFA Shield Final said that he had no regrets that he didn’t have an Arjuna award or a Padmashree. Instead he regretted year after year as he didn’t get this award for so long but was very happy that he had finally received it now.
“I didn’t get the Arjuna Award or any Padmashree, but I have no regrets. The only thing which used to prick me was that I never got any recognition from East Bengal. The circle has been completed today. Thank you East Bengal” said Bhowmick.
B.Amit was named the, “Cricketer of the Year” and the East Bengal cricket team was also felicitated for their good performances this season.