Golden era footballer Franco dies at 84

New Delhi, May 10

Fortunato Franco, one of the pillars of India’s Asian Games gold-winning football team of 1962, died in Goa today. Franco, who was 84, is survived by his wife, son and daughter. The All India Football Federation confirmed the news of his death but did not specify its cause.

One of India’s finest midfielders, Franco was a part of Indian football’s golden era in 1960-64. He was a part of the 1960 Rome Olympics squad but didn’t get a game. However, he was an integral part of the 1962 Asiad gold-winning team in Jakarta.

He made 26 appearances for India, including the 1962 Asian Cup, where India finished runners-up. But his best performance was in the 1962 Asian Games where Indian football witnessed its finest hour, beating South Korea 2-1 in the final in Jakarta in front of 100,000 people. — PTI

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