Sailen Manna

Infobox Football biography
playername = Sailen Manna


fullname = Sailendra Nath Manna
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1924|09|1|
cityofbirth = Howrah, West Bengal
countryofbirth = India
position = Defender
majorclubs = Mohun Bagan
years = 1940-1942
1942-1960
clubs = Howrah Union, Kolkata
Mohun Bagan
caps(goals) = ? (?)
? (?)
nationalyears = ? – ?
nationalteam = India
nationalcaps(goals) = ?(?)

Sailen Manna (born September 1, 1924) is an Indian International Footballer and is considered to be one of the best Defenders India has ever produced [ [http://www.calcuttaweb.com/people/sailen.shtml Calcuttaweb - Sports Personality : Sailen Manna ] ] . He has represented and captained India in different International Conpetitions including Olympics and Asian Games. He also has a record of playing for Mohun Bagan, one of the best clubs in India, for a continuous period of 19 years. [ [http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html INDIAN LEGENDERY FOOTBALL PLAYERS PROFILE:Kolkatafootball.com ] ] He is the only Asian Footballer ever to be named among the 10 best Captains in the world by the English FA in 1953. [ [http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2915/stories/20060415012103900.htm India's greatest footballer ] ]

Education

He graduated from the Surendranath College, an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta.

Club career

Manna started his playing career for Howrah Union, then a club in the 2nd Division Kolkata Football League, in 1940. [ [http://www.indianfootball.com/data/halloffame/manna_sailen.html Sailendra Nath Manna ] ] [ [http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html INDIAN LEGENDERY FOOTBALL PLAYERS PROFILE:Kolkatafootball.com ] ] 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. [ [http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html INDIAN LEGENDERY FOOTBALL PLAYERS PROFILE:Kolkatafootball.com ] ] It is to be noted that during his 19 years career in Mohun Bagan, he reportedly earned only Rs.19 [ [http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/search/PubSearch.jsp?pubpageid=N380&page_id=581 Harmony ] ] (roughly USD 0.5 based on existing exchange rates). As a defender, he was known for his anticipation, covering and a strong free kick. [ [http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/search/PubSearch.jsp?pubpageid=N380&page_id=581 Harmony ] ]

International career

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. [ [http://www.harmonyindia.org/hportal/search/PubSearch.jsp?pubpageid=N380&page_id=581 Harmony ] ] 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. [ [http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html INDIAN LEGENDERY FOOTBALL PLAYERS PROFILE:Kolkatafootball.com ] ] In 1953, the England Football Association rated him among the 10 best skippers of the world in its yearbook. [ [http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2915/stories/20060415012103900.htm India's greatest footballer ] ] Manna was also the captain of the Indian team in 1952 Olympics and a member of the 1954 Asian Games.

Honours & Awards

#Included in the list of the 10 best Captains of the world by English FA in 1953. [ [http://www.sportstaronnet.com/tss2915/stories/20060415012103900.htm India's greatest footballer ] ]
#Awarded Padmashree in 1971 by the Government of India. [ [http://www.kolkatafootball.com/kolkatafootball_indian_legend_footballers_profile.html INDIAN LEGENDERY FOOTBALL PLAYERS PROFILE:Kolkatafootball.com ] ]
#Awarded the "Footballer of the Millennium" by All India Football Federation in 2000. [ [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000311/spr-trib.htm#2 The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Sport Tribune ] ]
#Awarded "Mohun Bagan Ratna" in 2001. [ [http://www1.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/130001176.cms Manna conferred Mohun Bagan Ratna Award-The Times of India ] ]

References