A tribute & homage to the great Indian legend Sailen Manna.

                Sailen Manna the great Indian legend was died in the age of 87 at 1-55am on 27^th February in Kolkata. Indian football lost one of its parent due to the death of Sailen Manna. The FIFA president Sep Blater expressed his deep condolence regarding the death of taht legend, Asian Football Confederation's acting president Zhang Jilong also expressed his condolences, AIFF president also did the same. Sailen Manna was not only a name, he was a myth in Indian football, One of the finest defender country have ever produced,  as a defender he was known for his anticipation, covering and a strong free kick.

                    He was born at Batra in Howrah on 1^st September 1984. He captained India in several occasions in different international tournaments including Olympics and Asian Games. Sailen Manna was a part of the Indian Football Team for the 1948 London Olympics, where Indian lost to France by a margin of 1-2.Under Manna's captaincy, India won the Gold Medal in the 1951 Asian Games and also won the Quandrangular Tournament for four consecutive years from 1952 to 1956. Apart from his 14-match international career as player, Manna coached the national team in the 1961 and 1968 Mardeka Cup, and became the second footballer after Goshtho Pal to receive the Padma Shri in 1970. Apart from his 14-match international career as player, Manna coached the national team in the 1961 and 1968 Mardeka Cup, and became the second footballer after Goshtho Pal to receive the Padma Shri in 1970.Manna started his playing career for Howrah Union in the 2nd Division Kolkata Football League, in 1940. After turning out for the club for a couple of seasons, he joined Mohun Bagan in 1942 and continued playing for the club for a period of 19 years, till his retirement in 1960. During this period, he was the Captain of Mohun Bagan from 1950 to 1955.After retiring he also attached with Mohun Bagan, in local football circles,  Mohun Bagan and Manna have been synonymous with each other.After calling it a day as a player, Manna joined as Mohun Bagan coach in 1961, and in later years served the club administration as football secretary and assistant secretary. The club acknowledged its gratefulness by conferring on him its highest award Mohun Bagan Ratna in 2001.

                "Manna-da was a perfect gentleman both on and off the field. He was never booked during his long career. It was an amazing achievement and spoke volumes of the dignity with which he played," said former Indian Olympic captain Samar (Badru) Banerjee, who played for the national team under Manna's leadership.

                 He is the only Asian Footballer ever to be named among the 10 best Captains in the world by the English FA in 1953. He was awarded by the Padmashree award by the government of India in 1971, awarded the "Footballer of the Millennium" by All India Football Federation in 2000, Awarded "Mohun Bagan Ratna" in 2001.

                   He immensely contributed to the game in the country, whether as a player, captain or coach, Sailen Manna was an inspirational leader whose contribution to Indian football was justly recognised during his lifetime and will continue to live on in our memories. He will also be remembered for his 19 years service to his club Mohun Bagan, which is another reason to place him among true footballing greats, particularly in the modern age, where such royalty is becoming increasingly scarce.

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