Bhaichung Bhutia considers himself lucky to have got the chance to play under the guidance of PK Banerjee. “He was like a father figure to me. I consider myself very fortunate to have got the chance to play under him at the early stage of my career. His tips helped me a lot in building my career. He will live as long as Indian football would stay,” Bhaichung told The Telegraph on Friday.
“He was a great human being. Lion hearted person, always happy. It’s a big loss. He is one of the greatest footballers and coaches India has ever produced,” he added.
Bhaichung still remembers the atmosphere before the 1997 Federation Cup semi-final between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. “There was huge pressure all around. But he didn’t let us feel anything. He just told us enjoy the game. He also ensured the players remained unaffected,” Bhaichung said.
“What happened is history. We not only won the game, we won it with a 4-1 margin. I scored a hat-trick. It was one of the memorable moments of my career. That time another legendary coach Amal Dutta was in charge of Bagan. It was not easy for us but Pradipda made it look easy,” he said.
“He always remained happy. It was so much fun to be around him. Even during matches he wasn’t someone who would take pressure.”
Jamshed Nassiri also paid his tribute. “He was a great coach and a fantastic human being. He was my coach at East Bengal when we (Majid Beshkar and Mahmoud Khabaji, besides Jamshed) came to Calcutta for the first time in 1980. He was an inspirational figure in Indian football and to me it’s a big loss,” said Jamshed.
Former India cricketer and minister of state (sports and youth affairs) Laxmi Ratan Shukla recalled how PK had inspired him.
“I had been doing well in domestic matches but not getting a chance to play for India. I was named best domestic all-rounder of the country in 2011-2012. I met him after that and he just told me, ‘carry forward the job you are doing.’ You don’t have to think about other things. I still follow his advice,” he said.
Prasun Banerjee, former India footballer, MP and younger brother of PK, said: “I have not seen my father much, for me my elder brother was my father and he served me as a father.”
