Former Olympian Kannan dead

Hyderabad, May 19 (UNI) Former Olympian and mercurial center forward D Kannan has died after prolonged illness here today.

He was 80. He is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.

Recently at a function he wept saying, ''once people used to come to see me and have a glimpse of my game, now nobody comes to see me.'' Seeing his plight, another Olympian and former All England badminton champion Pullela Gopichand donated a sum of Rs 50,000 recently through his 10K Foundation for his treatment.

Kannan who has known for his dribbling skills was a threat to the best of defenders during his hay days. He played alongside some of the legends of Indian football like Chuni Goswami, goal-keeper Peter Thangraj, P K Bennerjee and Balaram.

Kannan represented Hyderabad twice (1956, 1957), Andhra Pradesh once (1958), Bengal twice (1959, 1960) and Indian Railways twice (1962, 1963) in the national football championship for Santosh trophy.

He represented India in the Tokyo Asian Games (1958), Ernakulam Asian Cup (1959), Mardeka cup (1959, 1960) and Rome Olympics (1960).

All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco conveyed his condelences at the demise of former Olympian.

Andhra Pradesh Football Associaion, President T.G.Venkatesh announced that APFA would meet the funeral expenditure. He also conveyed condolences to Kannan's family members.

His funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon.

UNI XR/JRK VV DH KN2003