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Former Indian international and East Bengal legend Ahmed Khan passed away in Bengaluru at his residence today. He was 90 and is survived by wife, daughter and a son.
Ahmed Khan played for the red and gold from 1949 to 1959 and was the sole survivor of the clubs legendary ‘Five Pandavas’, which in 1949 won the Calcutta Football League, IFA Shield and Rovers Cup. In 1951, East Bengal created history by becoming the first Indian club to win India’s oldest football tournament, the Durand Cup.
Over the years, he scored 62 goals for the Red and Gold having won the IFA Shield four times; the Calcutta Football League, the Durand Cup and the DCM Trophy thrice each; and Rovers Cup, the P.K. Nair Gold Cup and the H.K. Mookherjee Shield once each.
Ahmed Khan represented India in two consecutive Olympics – the 1948 Olympic Games in London and the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland; where he scored India’s only goal of the tournament in a 1-10 loss to Yugoslavia.
Khan was also a part of India’s Gold medal winning squad in the inaugural 1951 Asian Games Team in Delhi and again represented India at the 1954 Asian Games in Manila.
All India Football Federation president Praful Patel in his message said, “It’s sad to hear that Ahmed Khan, one of the most versatile Indian players is no more. His contribution to Indian Football will never be forgotten. I share the grief.”
AIFF general secretary Kushal Das said, “Ahmed Khan will be alive in his achievements. He was a legendary footballer and someone who has been the inspiration of so many generations. May he rest in Peace.”
East Bengal general secretary Kalyan Majumder said, “The club has been orphaned following Ahmed Khan’s death perhaps the greatest footballer the club has ever seen. With outstanding individual brilliance the barefooted Khan was capable of deciding the fate of any match all by himself. Even after boots were made mandatory I recall his outstanding performance in the 1958 IFA Shield final when he along with Balaram destroyed Mohun Bagan to win the Trophy. We had bestowed him with Bharat Gaurav Award in 2012 Foundation Day and that was the last time he visited the Club. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and son and hope that they would be able to withstand the loss. May his soul Rest in Peace”.
Khan, who played as a striker represented India in 11 matches and made his debut against France in the London Olympics. He scored 3 goals including one against Yugoslavia in the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
Besides, he was also a member of the victorious back to back Quadrangular Trophy squad in 1953 and 1954.
At the domestic level, he also represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy, having won it in 1950 and 1951.
May his soul rest in peace!!!
