Internet Desk: The bust of legendary hockey player Leslie Claudius was on Tuesday installed at a prime location in the city.
Claudius, an anglo-Indian based in Kolkata, was member of three Olympic gold medal-winning Indian teams – London (1948), Helsinki (1952) and Melbourne (19560. At Rome (1960), he led India to a silver medal finish.
“Humbled to instal bust of true Indian #Hockey legend Leslie Claudius today ParkSt Kolkata 3 Olympic golds,1 silver. Thanks @MamataOfficial,” Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Derek O’Brien who unveilled the bust tweeted.
Organised by the Leslie Claudius Memorial Committee, an affiliate of Calcutta Customs Superannuated Officers Association of which Claudius was the founder president, this is their third venture in the name of the great.
The road leading to city football club East Bengal Club is named Leslie Claudius road while the Beighton Cup (ongoing) runners up prize is also in the name of the dimunitive player known for his extraordinary half-line distribution and tackling.
“We are also planning to help aspiring players with scholarships in the name of Mr. Claudius. We hope to start the initiative by next year,” Soumyajit Bhowmick, Organising Secretary, Leslie Claudius Memorial Committee said.
Claudius retired from international hockey after the 1960 Olympics, but continued to compete domestically till the 1965 season.
In 1971, Claudius became the sixth Indian hockey player to be given the prestigious Padmashree award by the government and also served as the team manager for the 1974 and 1978 Asian Games. He was also a national selector for a few years.