Residents of Gautampura grieve as Pele passes on

BENGALURU: Gautampura, the abode of some of the most passionate football fans of Bengaluru, was in gloom on Friday as news of the death of football legend Pele sunk in. Forlorn fans milled about at Pele Statue Circle, where they have erected the legend’s statue to record for posterity their love for him.
Aptly, Karnataka State Football Association (KSFA) held a memorial event at the circle in the locality near Ulsoor to honour the life and legacy of the football legend and pay tributes to him.The statue was adorned with flowers, candles, and solemn messages. Residents of Gautampura, which is described as mini-Brazil for its passion for the beautiful game, gathered in huge numbers.
“Pele helped lead Brazil to three World Cup victories and is a global icon. His death is a great loss for us — his fans and admirers. This Pele statue, I believe, is one of the first in Karnataka, and it showcases our love and dedication to his talent. I look forward to another Pele coming up from our community in future,” said NA Haris, MLA of Shantinagar, vice-president of All- India Football Federation and president of KSFA.
M Satya Narayan, general secretary of KSFA, said: “We are thousands and thousands of miles away from where Pele breathed his last. We condole with his family in their hour of grief, and may the great man’s soul rest in peace. I was lucky enough to meet him twice in Abu Dhabi.”
— Anina Jacob & Shivani Porchelvan