Illness claims leg that came to Kerala's rescue in Santosh Trophy

THRIKKAKARA: One of the legs that helped the Kerala team lift its first Santosh Trophy 49 years ago was amputated yesterday. B Devanand (71), a defender of the Kerala team that defeated Railways 3-2 in the final of the 1973 Santosh Trophy, had his left leg amputated following a critical illness (Critical Lymph Ischemia). The operation was done on the same day Kerala welcomed the Santosh Trophy after 9 years. The surgery started at 10 am at Kalamassery Medical College and continued till evening. He is currently under observation in the ICU. Devanand's current income is Rs 2,000 a month from the Kerala Football Association and Rs 1,500 from the EPF. This is not even enough for his treatment.

Devanand was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. The onset was numbness in his foot. He sought treatment at private hospitals in Mumbai but to no avail. The cause of the disease is reduced blood flow to the left leg. The numbness went up to the knees and the left leg turned black. He was admitted to Kalamassery Medical College with serious injuries to his finger.

Devanand has played most matches in his career for Tata. He retired in 1983. He turned down the offers from Kerala Police and the Railways. He worked as a personnel manager at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. After retiring in 2011, he bought a flat in Karangachira, Thripunithura in his son's name with the money he had earned from playing and work. The treatment was done in Kochi.

Last year, the Kerala Blasters honoured six former Santosh Trophy players, including Devanand. Devanand fell ill while preparing to go to Malappuram to watch the Santosh Trophy matches this time. Devanand's wife-Kshama. His only son Nikhil Dev is a Wipro employee. Daughter-in-law: Lakshmi.