They belonged to the golden era of Indian football. Barely nine years after Independence, they had stormed into the semi-finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics — the best showing by an Indian football team. Call it a commemoration of the great performance fifty years ago or guilt, the sports ministry in an appreciable gesture felicitated the surviving members of that team here Monday.
Only half the 18 members of that fabulous team are around pushing 80 and seven of them were present to receive their cheques for Rs. 1,50,000 and a silver plaque in recognition of their splendid showing 52 years ago. Alas, one of the heroes of that side goalkeeper Peter Thangaraj passed away in November. http://www.sportingclubedegoa.com/article.php?aid=581 Shrikant Vinayak Barve Check out the all-new Messenger 9.0! Go to http://in.messenger.yahoo.com/
