A Brief Story of Footballer JB Goutam


On 10th April 2013 Kalimpong lost one of its finest footballers and not many were aware of it ,he did not earn public affection like Mini (Urgen Lama) or Pem Dorjee during his playing days, the reason being,he did not play much in his own home town.He spent most of his life in Kolkata only to return after retirement to Kalimpong and settle here. This is an attempt to shed some light on the football career of Janga Bahadur Goutam. One of the foremost footballers to ply his trade outside the Darjeeling Hills, JB Goutam paved the way for others to follow.

JB Goutam was a first generation footballer from his family. Born (3rd March, 1932)  in Kalimpong. Goutam spent his professional life in Kolkata serving as the store superintendent for Indian Airlines at the Dum Dum Airport while playing football for various teams for more than a decade. He played as a forward and was dangerous in front of the goal.

A student of City College in Kolkata , he was selected for the Calcutta University Football team (those days college football was very competitive) which also had a young ,legend in the making Chunni Goswami in the team,But unfortunately, the Kalimpong lad couldn’t play for the team as he became a victim of favoritism and politics. Another player was taken in his place. Politics could deny him a place in the team but couldn’t hide his talent as he was noticed by Kalighat MS officials and he played regularly for them.

Kalighat MS signed him that year and there was no turning back for him after that as he stamped his feet in the Mecca of Indian Football, Kolkata. During his stint in Kolkata, he played for Bata Sports Club before Indian Airlines offered him a job and roped them into their team. He also found time to play in the West Bengal inter-district football tournament for three years, representing 24 Paraganas. Kalimpong Sports Association honored him on 15th August some years back when he was alive for his contribution to football.

After retirement Goutam settled in Kalimpong and also breathed his last here.He left behind his wife two sons and a daughter. His older son got a job in Indian Airlines on compassionate ground in place of his father and now he is based in Kolkata.His younger son works in Dubai.JB Goutam’s family is proud that he played football and earned respect through the beautiful game.

JB Goutam though not very well known can be credited with paving the way for many footballers from the Hills to go and play in Kolkata. Many great players have followed his footsteps like Pem Dorjee and Bhaichung Bhutia. With so many players following, his own foot print seems to have blurred a bit. We might not be able to give Goutam a legendary status but he is definitely a hero who lead from the front and showed the way to others.

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