Story of Sailen Manna

Every once in a while, there comes a player who revolutionises the way the game is perceived, and for Indian football, Sailen Manna was one such player. Born on the 15^th of May, 1924, in West Bengal, Manna caught the attention of the footballing community at an early age, and he joined Howrah Union, a local club, at the age of 17.

In 1942, he made his mark on the national stage, representing India in the Quadrangular Tournament against stalwarts like England and Australia. His exceptional leadership qualities and defensive prowess earned him the captain's armband, a position he would hold for over a decade.

Manna led India to its first major international success—the triumph in the Asian Games held in New Delhi in 1951.

His illustrious career also saw him play for Mohun Bagan domestically. He retired from international football in 1955 but continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and administrator, and he was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award in 1971.

Another such Indian football legend was Talimeren Ao who rejected Arsenal Football Club to fulfil his father's dream.

Do you want to support Indian Football in a new way? Check out our Blue Tigers collection. And the best thing is that 10% of our profits goes directly towards development of grassroots football in India.