Golden era footballer Franco dies at 84

Tribune Web Desk

Updated At : 01:15 PM May 11, 2021 IST

Unlock Exclusive Insights with The Tribune Premium

Take your experience further with Premium access. Thought-provoking Opinions, Expert Analysis, In-depth Insights and other Member Only Benefits

Yearly Premium ₹999 ₹349/Year

Yearly Premium $49 $24.99/Year

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

The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising five eminent persons as trustees.

The Tribune, the largest selling English daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the newspaper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.

The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).

Remembering Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia

Designed and developed by : SORTD

Unlock Exclusive Insights with The Tribune Premium

Suggested Articles