August 2021 spelt gloom for Indian soccer as the country lost three legendary Olympians in a short span of 20 days. Shankar Subramaniam Narayan, fondly known as S.S ‘Babu’ Narayan, India’s goalkeeper who represented India in the Melbourne Olympics in 1956 and Rome Olympics in 1960 died on September 5. Syed Shahid Hakim, popularly known as Hakim ‘Saab’, who was part of the Indian squad in Rome Olympics died on August 22 and O Chandrashekar Menon, the Indian defender in the Rome Olympics died on August 24, plunging the football lovers and the AllIndia Football Federation (AIFF) in grief.

SS ‘Babu’ Narayan, born at Ottapalam in Palakkad District of Kerala, died in Thane, Maharashtra at the age of 86. He is survived by two daughters and a son. Entering the football arena with no history in the chosen sport, he reached several highs with sheer determination, coupled with passion to cement his position as one of formidable Indian Goalkeepers.

‘Babu’ Narayan, who initially played soccer barefooted, made meteoric rise to make his debut as Goalkeeper, the most specialized position in football at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Thanks to his spectacular saves and ‘on field strategy’ directions in crucial matches, India reached the semi-finals and finished fourth at the Olympics. Narayan went on to represent the country at the Rome Olympics in 1960.

The custodian was also a part of the Indian side that finished runner up in the 1964 AFC (Asian Football Federation) Asian Cup and the 1958 Asian Games, in which India finished fourth. Narayan also represented Bombay in the famous Santosh Trophy right from 1956. Though born in Kerala, he was a star in Mumbai’s local circuit during his appearances for Matunga Students, Matunga Gymkhana, Caltex and Tata Sports Club. He was part of Maharashtra’s Santosh Trophy-winning campaign in 1964

After being the face of Indian football for more than a decade, he retired from first class Football in 1970. Narayan was equally good in Basketball and had represented Maharashtra both in Football and Basketball, displaying a rare prowess. The Mumbai District Football Association felicitated him for his contribution to Indian Football. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India also honoured him for his outstanding contribution to the Indian side in the Melbourne and Rome Olympics. “His contribution to Indian Football can never be forgotten. I share the grief” said AIFF President Praful Patel, condoling Narayan’s demise.

Hakim Saab, the former Squadron leader of Indian Air Force, has a tale of unlucky albeit donning many different hats in his more than five decade-long stint with Indian Football. He was part of the Indian team at the Rome Olympics to play the central midfielder but could not get to play any game in the entire Olympics despite his father Syed Abdul Rahim being the team coach.

According to old timers, Hakim was a decent “half-back” but not in the league of Ram Bahadur, Mariappa Kempaiah, Prashanta Sinha or Franco, who were best in the position than him in 1950s and 1960s when Indian football teams played in a ‘two-half system’. As the quad dominated the Indian side, Hakkim seldom got a chance to enter the pitch during bigger tournaments. Seeing his plight, star footballer Chunni Goswami in a bid to get him a chance in the last league game against Peru at the Rome Olympics, spoke to the coach, Rahim Saab to try Hakkim in the last ‘inconsequential’ league match but Rahim Saab politely turned down his request. Not losing heart, Hakkim remained as a respected person in the Indian Football for more than five decades, donning different hats. After taking up the coaching career, he became the assistant coach of legendary striker P K Banerjee during the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi.

At the domestic level, Hakkim had his finest days of a coach when he guided the Mahindra & Mahindra team to the Durand Cup Title in 1988. The team won the cup after beating the formidable East Bengal in the finals. As a FIFA (International Federation of Association Football) badge holder in the panel of International Referees, Hakkim officiated the Asian Club Cup matches. The Government of India honoured him with Dronacharya Award and also with the prestigious Dhyan Chand Award, previously known as Rajiv Gandhi Kel Ratna award. At the fagend of his career, he had served as the Regional Director of Sports Authority of India and Project Director in-charge of scouting for new talents ahead of the FIFA under-17 world cup in 2017. He died at a hospital in Gulbarga at the age of 82.

Chandrasekhar Menon was another star defender in the Indian squad and had represented India at the Rome Olympics in 1960 and Tokyo Olympics in 1964. He played along with PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Tulsidas Balaram, Peter Thangaraj, Jarnail Singh and Mariappa Kempaiah the great names in the Football.

He was also part of Indian squad which won Gold at the Asian Games in 1962 and Silver at the AFC Asian Cup in 1964. Menon led the Indian side in a few tournaments. ‘Olympian Chandrashekar’, as he was popularly known in Kerala, Menon was born in Irinjalakuda in Thirussur District of Kerala. He honed his football skills while studying at the Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam and played for Caltex in Mumbai in 1956. After retiring from international football in 1966, he played for the State Bank of India and Captained the Maharashtra Team that won the Santosh Trophy in 1963. He suffered dementia in 2015 and after age related ailments, he died in Kochi on August 24, 2021 at the age of 86 years.

"It is saddening to hear that Mr. Chandrasekhar is no more. He was a key part of one of the most successful Indian teams ever and his contribution to the sport in India can never be forgotten. I share the grief," said Mr Praful Patel, condoling his death. The late footballer’s teammate Jarnail Singh in his condolence message, said “the poise and solidity offered by O Chandrashekar at right back made his job a lot easier.”

History of Indian football dates back to the mid19th century when the British soldiers introduced the sport in the country. At one stage, football was India’s National Sport and the power packed Indian squad was even hailed as the ‘Brazilians of Asia’. India had once qualified for the FIFA world cup in 1950 but that turned out to be India’s only participation in the World Cup.