One of India’s greatest footballers, Tulsidas Balaram, who was instrumental in the country’s triumph at the Asian Games in Jakarta in 1962, has been admitted to a multi-specialty hospital for treatment of urinary tract infection and flatulence.

The gold medal at the Asian Games in Jakarta, where they beat South Korea 2-1, was Indian football’s second victory in the multi-sport continental competition, and the feat has not been repeated since.

The 87-year-old belonged to the golden generation of Indian football in the 1950s and 60s where he teamed up with legends like Chuni Goswami and PK Banerjee and they became the ‘holy trinity’ of football in the country.

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A medical bulletin issued by the hospital on Thursday said Balaram was admitted on December 26 after complaining of loss of appetite, flatulence and urinary inconsistency.

The hospital said Balaram, considered one of India’s biggest attackers, was being treated by a multidisciplinary team of doctors and was being “further investigated to rule out chronic liver disease” and malignancy.

A recipient of the Arjuna Prize, Balaram’s achievements at the 1960 Rome Olympics are well documented. Placed in the “group of death” with Hungary, France and Peru, India lost their opening game to Hungary 1-2 but Balaram covered himself with a goal in the 79th minute.

India nearly pissed off France a few days later with Balaram showing his class again.

Balaram, who had mainly played as a centre-forward or left wing, retired him in 1963 due to ill health.

West Bengal’s sports minister Aroop Biswas visited the ailing ex-footballer and promised him all possible assistance.

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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)