New Delhi: Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly expressed condolences on the demise of legendary Indian football legend Pradip Kumar Banerjee, who passed away on Friday after a prolonged illness. Taking on microblogging site Twitter, BCCI president Ganguly said he had enormous love and respect for Banerjee as the latter had a great influence on his career when he was an 18-year-old boy.
PK Banerjee was a 1962 Asian Games gold medal winning footballer. "Lost a very dear person today...someone who I loved and respected enormously...someone who had so much influence in my career when I was an 18-year-old boy...his positivity was infectious...may his soul rest in peace...lost two very dear persons this week," tweeted Ganguly.
Fondly referred to as PK Banerjee by his vast legion of fans, the 83-year-old breathed his last at a private hospital in Kolkata at 12.40 p.m., according to a family member.
A two-time Olympian and the only surviving goal-scorer of India's 1962 Asian Games gold medal-winning team, Banerjee is survived by two daughters -- Paula and Pixie.
Modern day sports icon Sachin Tendulkar has offered their condolences on the death of former India football captain, coach and technical director Pradip Kumar Banerjee.
Things you must know about PK Banerjee. "Heartfelt condolences on the passing of the great Indian footballer PK Banerjee! Have fond memories of meeting him on a few occasions and the positivity he spread. May his soul Rest in Peace," tweeted Tendulkar.
The Asian Games gold medallist was suffering from sepsis and multi-organ failure due to pneumonia on a background of Parkinson's disease, dementia and heart ailments.
Banerjee represented India in 36 official matches, wearing the captain's armband in six of them. In the process, he scored 19 official goals for the country.
Sourav Ganguly (L) and Sachin Tendulkar (R) with PK Banerjee (M). He was also the first Indian Footballer to receive the Arjuna Award (1961) and was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri Award in 1990. Banerjee was also bestowed with the FIFA Fairplay Award (in 1990), and the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit in 2004.
