Pic Courtesy: Xtratime
Kolkata: The condolence programme for former East Bengal manager Swapan Baal was held today at the club tent. The programme was joined by a large number of people ranging from former footballers to current footballers, cricketers to fans and supporters.
Condolence message was sent by AIFF ex-General Secretary Mr. Alberto Colaco.
Dhanraj Pillai who will be given the Bharat Gourav award tomorrow, applied garlands of flowers on the picture of Swapan Baal.
Subhash Bhowmik: “I am missing Swapan da today, the day we won Asean Cup,I missed him that day too. He couldn’t tolerate the colour of Green and Maroon and only believed in Red-Yellow colour. East Bengal should win the I-League for him”
Surajit Sengupta: “I-League should come to the club for Swapan da.”
Shyam Thapa: “Swapan da is the actual Eastbengalian.”
Sambharan Banerjee: “He was mad for East Bengal. So to memorize him, a portion of the gallery or dressing room should be named after him”
Saradindu Mukherjee: “I think the first sledging was introduced by Swapan Baal specially after watching Mohun Bagan as a weapon to weaken the opponent”
Subrata Dutta: “The day I was the first IFA secretary, he came to invite me, but unfortunately I was wearing a green shirt, so he left in a minute after saying he would meet me later. However today I still wear a green shirt and I remember about him”
Samaresh Chowdhury: “I first met him in the 70’s when I came to play at this club. He used to purely love East Bengal.”
Manaranjan Bhattacharya: “He couldn’t tolerate the Green and Maroon. He was a good friend of mine. I remember an incident in 1997, I was the manager of East Bengal and we were playing against Mohun Bagan but we lost the match unfortunately. Referee Udyan Halder blowed the whistler twice, then I saw Swapan da protesting against it. He really loved the club. He might not be present physically among us, but he will remain among us all.”
Firad Hakim: “Like Pakistan, Mohun Bagan was the enemy for him. With him I have seen a lot of games for the club.”
Many others too shared their condolence views on Swapan Baal