Ex-India goalie Sanat Seth dies at 91

On Friday, the former India goalkeeper Sanat Seth passed away after polonged illness. The late 91-year old goalie was a part of the 1954 Asian Games squad.

Seth, 91, was suffering from age-related problems and breathed his last on Friday morning, according to family sources.

He lost his wife last year and has left behind his son.

Known for his acrobatic saves under the bar, Seth began his journey at the Eastern Railway FC in 1949 before moving to Aryan Club in 1951.

He then moved to East Bengal in 1957 and the next year he joined their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan, where he played for six years.

“I was born at Railway FC, Aryan is my uncle’s house while East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are my aunt’s places,” he had once said famously.

He was part of the Manila Asian Games squad but he did not get a chance to play in the first XI.

Seth played with the two late legendary footballers, PK Banerjee and Chuni Goswami during his playing career from 1949-68.

He was also part of the national squad which won the Quadrangular Cup in 1953, 1954 and 1955.

At the domestic level, he won the Santosh Trophy with Bengal in 1953 and 1955.

However, Seth missed out on the 1956 Helsinki Olympics after he promised to play for the Aryans.

The next year, he played for East Bengal but only to join the rival camp in 1958 where he played till 1963 before Peter Thangaraj replaced him.

He called it quits after playing for the Aryan Club.

All Indian Football Federation president Praful Patel, in his condolence message, said, “It is really sad to hear that Seth is no longer among us. His invaluable contribution to Indian football will always remain with us. I share the grief.”

AIFF general secretary Kushal Das added, “Seth was an exceptional goalkeeper who enjoyed great success at the international and domestic levels.

My sincere condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace.”