Full name Umapati Kumar 1923–36 India Date of birth 8 February 1898 Name Umapati Kumar | 1916–36 Mohun Bagan A.C. Years Team | |
Umapati Kumar was a former footballer who played mostly as an inside forward. As a footballer Kumar represented Indian national team and Mohun Bagan.
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Personal life
Umapati Kumar was born on 8 February 1898 in Chagram located in the Burdwan district of West Bengal. His father Rajanikanta Kumar was a barrister in Kishanganj, Purnia district, Bihar. By 1916 he completed his basic education from Bihar and came to Kolkata. In 1919 he married Sailabala Devi and in 1920 he graduated from the Scottish Church College.
Football career
Umapati Kumar is best remembered for his long and cherished career with Mohun Bagan A.C.. He joined the club as a youngster in 1916 and would continue to don the Green & Maroon jersey for more than two decades. Umapati Kumar played alongside some of the stars from Mohun Bagan’s famous 1911 IFA Shield winning team, as well as later icons like Gostha Pal and Dr. Sanmatha Dutta. He retired from Mohun Bagan in 1936.
Umapati Kumar was also a regular participant in exhibition matches that took place in Kolkata like Indians vs Europeans and Civilians vs Military. Kumar captained the Indian team in these matches for four consecutive seasons and the Civilian team (which would also contain Europeans) for two consecutive seasons in 1926 and 1927. He was also an integral part of the IFA XI which toured Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and South Africa in 1930s.
In Mohun Bagan Umapati Kumar won Coochbehar Trophy six times and a host of other trophies. He was also the captain of the side which reached the 1923 IFA Shield final.
After leaving the game Umapati Kumar remained closely associated with Mohun Bagan till his death, serving in a number of positions like Secretary, General Secretary, Treasurer and Vice-President.
Playing style
Umapati Kumar was one of the most skillful players of his generation and was well known for his passing range. He is often considered to be the first Indian footballer to have perfected the art of through passes. He was an intelligent, elegant footballer who was supremely fit. Despite playing without boots, kneecaps or anklets for most of his career Umapati Kumar never suffered from a long term injury. Amrita Bazar Patrika once remarked that Kumar’s skills and crafts were “as smooth as muslin”.
Professional awards
Umapati Kumar was awarded the “Mohun Bagan Ratna” in 2006.