Former Indian Footballer and Coach T K Chathunni Passes Away

Kochi, Jun 12 : Former Indian footballer and coach T K Chathunni passed away on Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Kochi, according to members of the Kerala football fraternity.

Chathunni, aged 79, had been undergoing treatment for cancer. He had represented Kerala and Goa as a defender in the prestigious Santhosh Trophy during his playing career.

Transitioning to coaching after retiring as a player, Chathunni became one of the most prominent coaches in Indian football, leaving a significant impact on the sport for over four decades. He coached renowned teams such as Mohun Bagan, Dempo Goa, and FC Cochin.

In 1979, he took on the role of coach for Kerala’s Santhosh Trophy team. Chathunni also penned an autobiography titled “Football My Soul,” reflecting on his life and football career.

His passing was mourned by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan, who both acknowledged his immense contributions to Indian football. Satheesan highlighted Chathunni’s pivotal role in nurturing the talents of players like I M Vijayan and C V Pappachan, expressing that his demise was a significant loss to the sports world.