What does Dhanraj Pillay feel regarding East Bengal’s “Bharat Gaurav” honour?

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Dhanraj Pillay at the East Bengal club today. Image Source: XtraTime

Kolkata: Legendary Indian hockey player Dhanraj Pillay is getting the prestigious “Bharat Gourav” Award tomorrow on the 98th East Bengal Foundation Day. He looked really very happy as he is getting this prestigious award.

While talking to www.xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi the hockey maestro said,” Everyone knows that East Bengal is a renowned Indian as well as Asian club. I am really very happy that a club like them is giving me such an honour. I have an idea on the clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Earlier when I came to Kolkata to play Beighton Cup I saw the craze of their supporters in this city.”

East Bengal club’s General Secretary first gave the news to Dhanraj that he is getting the Bharat Gourab Award.”Couple of months back Mr. Kalyan Majumder informed me that the club wants to confer me with the award for my contribution to the Indian sports. After listing to this I was really happy that a top club like East Bengal is giving me this honour,” said Pillay.

On being asked that East Bengal is giving this honour to a player who is not associated with football, Dhanraj replied,” I know that East Bengal and Mohun Bagan’s main focus is always on football but they also play cricket, football and hockey too. And also they are offering the award to a sportsman which matters the most.”

Dhanraj Pillay is the second hockey player who is getting this award from East Bengal club. Before him legendary hockey player Lt. Leslie Claudius received the award.” Leslie Claudius is an idol to me and I am really proud that I am getting an award which Claudius got earlier,” said Pillay.

Pillay visited the city of joy many times but now when he has come to Kolkata he always misses Claudius the most.” Leslie Claudius helped me a lot during my playing career. When I was out of form he gave me a lot of tips which helped me a lot. He was just like a mentor to me.”

Dhanraj played a lot of hockey match in Kolkata during the Beighton Cup, but there are no proper facilities in the city for practicing hockey. Dhanraj looked really upset with this.” Everyone asked the same question when I last visited the city. I think the State Government and the State Hockey Association will look into the matter and provide some solution. I will also tell the East Bengal officials that they should give proper focus on hockey as well as football and cricket.”