23 March 2016

Gostha Behari Pal 20.8.1998

Gostha Behari Pal (August 20, 1896 – April 8, 1976) was an Indian professional football player. Nicknamed as "Chiner Pracheer" (The Wall of China) he was one of the best defenders of contemporary Indian football. He started playing for Kumartuli A aged 11, and joined Mohun Bagan at the age of 16. In 1921, Gostho Paul was honored with the captaincy of the Mohun Bagan football team, and he remained as the club captain for next 5 years. In 1924, he was also appointed as the captain of the Indian national football team. He retired in 1935.

He was the first Indian footballer to be honoured with the Padma Shri, on April 27, 1962. (The second was Sailen Manna in 1970).
A statue was erected In his memory in 1984 on the Gostho Paul Sarani in Kolkata.

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