Kolkata, India, January 23, 2022: Former Indian football player and national team coach Subhas Bhowmick died early on Saturday morning, January 22, in Kolkata due to kidney problems. He was 71.
After making his international debut at the age of 18, Subhas Bhowmick played 24 matches for the Indian football team, scoring nine goals. He was also part of the bronze medal-winning Indian side at the Asian Games 1970, where he scored two goals.
At the club level, Subhas Bhowmick played for two of India’s biggest teams - East Bengal and Mohun Bagan - and won the Calcutta Football League with both clubs. He was a robust striker during his playing days.
Subhas Bhowmick also led Bengal to four Santosh Trophy titles.
After retiring in 1979, Bhowmick became a coach and again had stints at both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan and was later a technical director at Churchill Brothers.
During his coaching stint, Subhash Bhowmick, often called “Bhombol Da” by his fans, players and peers, established himself as one of the shrewdest tacticians in Indian football, leading both East Bengal and Churchill Brothers to multiple national club titles.
The Sports Authority of India described him as a “football legend” and added: “His contribution towards the great legacy of Indian football as a player and coach will be forever remembered. Condolences to his family and the football fraternity.”
Photo: All India Football Federation.