Amar Bahadur Gurung unsung hero of Indian Football

Amar Bahadur Gurung was born at Dehradun UK to Mr. and Mrs. Attar Singh Gurung in 18 April 1942 in Dehradun, Amar Bahadur studied at the Gorkha Military School. He joined the 4/8 Gorkha Rifles in 1960 and quit Army service in 1967 to play for Mafatlal (Mumbai).
Amar Bahadur Gurung 1967
Amar Bahadur Gurung 1967
Achievements
He scored against Japan in the crucial match of the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. India won 1-0 to secure the bronze medal in football. " He received an excellent cross from Manjeet Singh from the right flank to score the winning goal." He holds the distinction of being the only player from Dehradun to be awarded Maharashtra's highest sporting honour, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Award, in 1973.He was a regular member of the Indian football team in the mid-60s and early 70.
1966, 69 he was the part of Gorkha Brigade Champions ( Durand Cup. )
1968 Teheran Asia Cup Qualifiers:
1969 ,1970 and 1970 Merdeka Cup:
1970 Bankok Asian Game ( Bronze Medal )
1971 Singapore Pesta Sukan Cup.

The controversy

"My best goal is the one that I scored against Japan in the crucial match of the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. India won 1-0 to secure the bronze medal in football."

Recalling this glorious moment for Indian football, Amar Bahadur adds, "I received an excellent cross from Manjeet Singh from the right flank to score the winning goal."

Amar Bahadur Gurung
Amar Bahadur Gurung today.
However the goal has left some bitter memories for Amar Bahadur because he was not given the credit for it as reports in Indian newspapers flashed the name of Manjeet Singh as the scorer. Even today, the record books mention the name of Manjeet Singh. So Amar Bahadur remains an unsung hero in India despite his historic performance in Bangkok. Incidentally, this was the goal that gave India its last football medal in an international competition.

Another Gorkha  legend of the game Shyam Thapa says, "I was also a member of the Bangkok Asian Games football squad. Amar Bahadur scored the winning goal and it is sad that Manjeet is given credit for the goal."

Gurung was a regular member of the Indian football team in the mid-60s and early 70s.
He was captain of the Maharashtra team in 1970, '72 and '74. He said good-bye to the game in 1984.

With inputs from uttaranchal.org.uk and Amar Bahadur Gurung FB page

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