New Delhi, Apr 30 (IANS): President Ram Nath Kovind and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla condoled the passing away of legendary former India football captain Chuni Goswami who died at a private city hospital in Kolkata on Thursday. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called him a "real star".

Taking to Twitter, President Kovind said: "Sad to hear about the passing of Chuni Goswami. In his demise India's football fans have lost a legend. A versatile sportsman, he was a star in his own right. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers."

Meanwhile, Birla said: "Saddened at the news of demise of former ace footballer & first class cricketer #ChuniGoswami. His achievements in both the sports shall always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace!"

Bengal Chief Minister Banerjee has been the first to express her condolence. Calling Goswami a "real star", she remarked: "He was amongst the greatest players that Indian football has ever seen. He was a versatile personality who brought many laurels to the country and to Bengal."

Goswami was captain of the 1962 Asian Games gold-medal winning team and had also represented Bengal in first-class cricket. For the last few months, Goswami was suffering from underlying ailments with sugar, prostate and nerve problems. Goswami played 50 matches for India as a footballer from 1956 to 1964.

At 82, Goswami breathed his last after suffering a cardiac arrest. It only added to the gloom that has shrouded the country and the world at large with the COVID-19 pandemic wreaking havoc and also the deaths of veteran actors Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor.