Former footballer Bhaskar Maity dead

Bhaskar Maity was one of the most reliable and stylish goalkeepers in the country in the 1970s and ’80s, before retiriing in the mid-1980s.

Bhaskar Maity (2) in action in the 1977 Santosh Trophy.

Former India goalkeeper-turned-coach Bhaskar Maity died at a Navi Mumbai hospital on Wednesday. Maiti, 67, suffered a massive stroke on Tuesday night.

One of the most reliable and stylish goalkeepers in the country in the 1970s and ’80s, Maity made his India debut against Iraq during the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

Besides his exploits at the international level, Maity represented Maharashtra in the Santosh Trophy from 1975 to 1979. He was a regular for the Mafatlal Sports Club from 1974 to 1980 before joninig Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers (RCF) in 1981.

“It is sad to hear that Bhaskar Maity is no more. His contribution provided immense value. I share the grief," Paful Patel, the All India Football Federation president, was quoted as saying on AIFF’s Twitter handle.

After retiring in the mid-1980s, Maity took over as the RCF coach and played a role in honing skills of India regulars Khalid Jamil and Abhishek Yadav.

Maity is survived by his wife, son and a daughter, who is actor-cum-model.