Manik Goswami passed away at the age of 75 yesterday in a city nursing home. He represented Mohun Bagan in football, cricket and tennis. He was the brother of legendary player Chuni Goswami. He was the President of Bengal Tennis Association.His death is indeed a big loss for sports fraternity.

Manikda played football for Mohun Bagan with younger brother Chuni. Other than scoring against East Bengal in 1960s, he was part of the Mohun Bagan team which went to East Africa in 1961. The highlight of the tour was 6-2, 8-1, and 4-0 wins against local teams. Mohun Bagan total played 17 matches in that tour, won 13 matches, drew 3 matches and lost just 1 match. Mohun Bagan scored 53 goals, Manikda’s brother Chuni was the highest scorer with 11 goals. Manik Goswami played an important part in the tour. He used to play either in right in or left out position. He was also part of the Mohun Bagan team which won Rovers cup in 1955.

He also represented the club in cricket and tennis and later went on to win the national veterans doubles title twice, partnering Akhtar Ali and Hiralal Das. After retirement, he served the BTA as treasurer, secretary and then President.  Due to his efort, BTA got land in Salt Lake for an complex of its own. He was also life Vice President of All India Tennis Association. He was tennis secretary of Mohun Bagan for many years.

In cricket, he was a medium fast bowler and even took the wicket of Pankaj Roy while playing for Mohun Bagan.

His death is indeed a big loss for sports fraternity.

We are deeply grieved at his passing away and on behalf of Mohun Bagan supporters, we pray that may his soul rest in peace.

MBSFA lost 3-4 against Delhi Heroes in tie breaker in prequarter finals of All India Governors Gold Cup at Sikkim The full time score was 2-2. This is 2nd successive tournament in which MBSFA lost in tie breakers.

Mohun Bagan routed George Telegraph by 3-0 margin in a practice match held in Howrah Stadium. The Bagan coach fielded most of the reserves in todays game where the team played under the name of Howrah Mayor’s XI. Marcos, James and Kartik Kisku were the goal scorers.

Marcos played for full 90 minutes and his performance was very impressive. He scored one goal off a right footed punch from edge of the box which entered the goal like a bullet with the goalkeeper being stranded in the goalline. James Singh Sr. had scored the first goal. In 2nd half, Marcos took a free kick from the left flank, the ball swerved nicely and went to Kartick Kisku who just pushed the ball inside empty goal.

TEAM: Gopal Das (Raju Ekka), Rino Anto, Manju (Karan Atwal), Anand Vashan, Naveen Kumar, Suman Bose, James Sr. Jr. (Henry), Marcos, James Singh Sr., Kartick Kisku, Tapan Maity.