<p>Former Karnataka footballer D H Babu, one of the earliest players from the State to make a mark in Kolkata, died in Bangalore on Saturday. He was 88.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Babu, who had played for Banglaore Muslims initially, represented Karnataka in Santosh Trophy in 1948 and 1949 before heading to Kolkata and joining Mohun Bagan.<br /><br />In the Bagan side, Babu, who played as a right-winger, rubbed shoulders with some of the legendary names in Indian football, including Sailen Manna and T Aao.<br /><br />Returning after three years, he was again part of the State team in the National Championships in 1954.<br /><br />Babu’s foray into football was by accident and literally so. A hockey player to begin with, he suffered an injury when an opponent’s swing of the stick injured his leg. Babu quit hockey then and there and took up football with full interest. <br /><br />Babu’s activities were not restricted to the football field. Son of a retired soldier in the Indian army, Babu also took part in the 1942 Quit India Movement during the freedom struggle.<br /></p>
<p>Former Karnataka footballer D H Babu, one of the earliest players from the State to make a mark in Kolkata, died in Bangalore on Saturday. He was 88.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Babu, who had played for Banglaore Muslims initially, represented Karnataka in Santosh Trophy in 1948 and 1949 before heading to Kolkata and joining Mohun Bagan.<br /><br />In the Bagan side, Babu, who played as a right-winger, rubbed shoulders with some of the legendary names in Indian football, including Sailen Manna and T Aao.<br /><br />Returning after three years, he was again part of the State team in the National Championships in 1954.<br /><br />Babu’s foray into football was by accident and literally so. A hockey player to begin with, he suffered an injury when an opponent’s swing of the stick injured his leg. Babu quit hockey then and there and took up football with full interest. <br /><br />Babu’s activities were not restricted to the football field. Son of a retired soldier in the Indian army, Babu also took part in the 1942 Quit India Movement during the freedom struggle.<br /></p>
