Former India footballer Kannan hospitalised

Former India footballer P. Kannan, 78, has suffered a stroke and been admitted to a hospital in Kolkata on Monday.

Popularly known as the “Asian Pele” in the Indian football fraternity, he’s made fourteen appearances for the National team, according to former teammate C.N. Moorthy.

Born in Vandavasi, Kannan played in Bengaluru, Kolkata and Chennai.

He has played for four years for Universal RC in the Chennai Football Association (CFA) senior division football league.

It was for this club that Kannan and Moorthy played together.

Financial trouble

He has settled with his family in Kolkata now. It is understood that his family is in financial trouble.

Kannan, who worked for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Southern Railway, doesn’t get pension.

His wife, who is a retired school teacher, gets a minimal pension amount.

He has two daughters — the elder is married and settled abroad, the younger is a graduate looking for a job.