Samar Banerjee to get Mohun Bagan Ratna

Former Indian football team captain Samar (Badru) Banerjee will get the Mohun Bagan Ratna award this year. The decision was taken at the club’s executive committee meeting on Friday. Banerjee,who led India to a semi-final finish in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics,was the cornerstone of Bagan attack in the 1950s. He joined the green-and-maroons in 1952 after a stint with Milan Samity,Bali Prativa and BNR,and stayed there till 1959. Bagan won all major trophies under his captaincy.

Maybe the honour came a little late but according to Banerjee,“Better late than never.”

Former Bagan footballers are happy with the club’s decision. “I heard this year the award might go to Jose Barreto. I am happy that ultimately they took the right decision,” said Arjuna awardee Prasun Banerjee. The honour will be conferred upon the former Bagan captain on the occasion of Mohun Bagan Day on July 29.