The Hindu : Sport / Football : Football fraternity expresses shock

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jul 19, 2006

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Sport - Football

Football fraternity expresses shock

Special Correspondent

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation president Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi and the general secretary Alberto Colaco expressed shock at former Indian football captain V.P. Sathyan's sad demise.

"It is a huge shock for the football fraternity. His death is a great loss for the game in the country," said a release from the AIFF.

Special Correspondent adds from Thiruvananthapuram

U. Sharaf Ali: He was a sincere footballer and my good friend.

I.M. Vijayan: I am at loss for words. He was like an elder brother to me.

Jo Paul Ancheri: Indian football has lost one of its all-time greats. As a senior player, he was always a guide to the youngsters. I too could gain much.

A.M. Sreedharan: It is a tragedy. Actually, we moved like friends even when I was the coach of the Kerala Police team. It is a personal loss to me as I have lost someone whom I regarded as my younger brother.

Principal Correspondent adds from Kozhikode

Victor Manjila: I always found him as a very mature player. He had power and intelligence, and was one of the best defenders in India.

Sports Reporter adds from Kolkata

Baichung Bhutia: The news of Sathyan's death came as a rude shock to me. He was a person really dedicated to the game. He was great as a player and also as coach. His death is an irreparable loss to Indian football.

Prasun Banerjee (former India captain): Sathyan was an outstanding footballer and also was a great human being. He was a team man and earned respect from all his colleagues. What impressed me about him was that he had a very clear idea about what all he did, as a player, coach and selector.

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