Former footballer Chuni Goswami honoured with commemorative stamp

Chuni Goswami is the third Indian footballer after the late Gostho Paul and late Dr Talimeren Ao on whose name a postal stamp has been issued.

Chuni Goswami with the commemorative stamps issued on his 82nd birthday.

Chuni Goswami, who led India to a gold medal in the 1962 Asian Games in Bangkok was honoured by the Indian Postal Department with a commemorative postal stamp on his 82nd birthday (January 15, 202).

Chuni, an Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee, is the third Indian footballer after the late Gostho Paul (1998), and late Dr Talimeren Ao (2018) on whose name a postal stamp has been issued by the largest postal network in the world.

"It was a completely unexpected gesture. I'm really humbled with this honour shown to me. It'll further inspire me to live a longer life,” Goswami said.

“Over the years, I have received many laurels during my sporting career. But this one at the fag-end of my life, will surely be right up there," he added after the commemorative stamp was issued in his residence in Kolkata.

Goswami was also a member of the Indian team which finished as second behind host Israel in the AFC Asian Cup in 1964. He had scored India’s third goal against the 3-1 victory against Hong Kong en-route to the final.

He is also one of the six Indian Footballers to have received the prestigious Padma Shri Award (others being the Late Gotsho Paul, late Sailen Manna, PK Banerjee, Bhaichung Bhutia, and Sunil Chhetri, along with the Arjuna Award.