Kozhikode, July 18 (UNI) Former India captain V P Sathyan, who died in Chennai early today, was a footballer par excellence and a reliable leader, described leading personalities in the field.

''Basically he was an outstanding player and captain stuff,'' as he was reliable and available for the team whenever his services were required, said former All India Footbal Federation (AIFF) secretary and veteran footballer P P Laxmanan.

Expressing profound grief over his death, he said Sathyan was also a very disciplined player, prepared to make sacrifices for the team, he said.

Describing him as a ''pucca gentleman'', veteran player of yesteryear' Victor Manjzila, who coached Sathyan said, he was a player of excellence and a role model.

Hailing from Thalassery in Kannur district of Kerala, Sathyan started his career with the celebrated Lucky Star Club in the district and played for India from 1985 to 1996, in about 100 games, including the Seoul Asiad. He was India captain for ten games and won the Best Footballer Award in 1993.

Keralites remember Sathyan as the captain of the Kerala team which brought back to the state the Santosh Trophy after a gap of almost two decades in 1992.

Later, Sathyan, joined the Indian Bank and played for them for about five years and went on to assume the mantle of a coach after obtaining the coaching licence from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the FIFA.

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