Stadiums & roads to be named after greats like Amal Datta; former players pay tribute

BENGAL CHIEF MINISTER Mamata Banerjee said that the roads and stadiums in the city will be named after the legendary footballer Amal Dutta who passed away on Sunday. Mamata announced while paying her last homage to the diamond coach at the Rabindra Sadan,

"He was our pride. The loss is irreparable. We will name streets and the upcoming stadiums after greats like Datta and Sailen Manna,"

Amal Datta's body was kept at Rabindra Sadan and was later taken to his former clubs East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Hundreds of football fans gathered to pay their last tributes to iconic figure.

He was suffering from Alzheimer's disease and age-related illness. Datta was the country's first professional coach.

Many former players, fellow players paid their tributes to Datta, Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia said,

"I was fortunate enough to meet him quite a number of times and was amazed to see how he kept talking about strategies."

80-year-old Banerjee shared great camaraderie with Datta,

"He was trying to demoralise us before the game. He called Bhaichung (Bhutia) 'Chung Chung' but that did not affect me. I did not give in to his taunts. Amal da was my senior. We played together also. He even used to abuse me when I could not play well. But then we got along well off the pitch. I've lost a great friend and guide, that's making me sick."

Former footballer Chuni Goswami hailed him as a pioneer.

"He has produced many greats. He was a man devoted to football. He always wanted to do something differently. It's a great loss for Indian football.

"No other coach or player was more informed about modern football. It's sad that Indian football has never been able to appreciate his value as a coach," said Subrata Bhattacharya.

Former India midfielder Satyajit Chatterjee termed him as a visionary.

"Had I not come in touch with him, I would not have become a complete footballer. I was a newcomer at that time. But I provided the pass for the only goal which helped Mohun Bagan win the Durand Cup (1985)," the former Mohun Bagan captain recalled.