Legendary Footballer Tulsidas Balaram Dies At Age Of 87

According to family members, Tulsidas Balaram, an Olympian and Asian Games gold winner for India, passed away on Thursday in Kolkata after a protracted illness. Balaram, who was 87 and widowed, resided in an apartment on the Hooghly River's banks in Uttar Pradesh. The 1962 Asiad champion was hospitalised on December 26 of last year 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 last at 2 p.m. today." The state government and the sports minister, Aroop Biswas, deserve our gratitude for providing for him during his final days, he continued. Balaram played football in India during the "golden generation" in the 1950s and 1960s.He collaborated with legendary figures like PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami, and the three of them became known as the "holy trinity." 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 honour to himself by scoring in the 79th minute. A few days later, with Balaram once more displaying his class, India came dangerously close to shocking France. Due to ill health, Balaram, who primarily played as a centre forward or left flank, retired in 1963.