NEW DELHI: Erman R. Bastian, former Olympic hockey player, died after a prolonged illness at his home in Durg, Chhattisgarh on Friday night, according to his son Anand Joseph.
The burial took place the following day.
Erman, as he was popularly known in his playing days, was 74. He suffered from recurrent paralytic strokes. He is survived by his wife, son Ashok, who is an engineer, and two daughters.
Erman played as centre-forward for India in the 1960 Rome Olympics, where the country got the silver medal after losing to Pakistan in the final by a solitary goal. Erman also represented India in 1the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games where also it was beaten to the gold medal by Pakistan.
Erman caught the eye of the national selectors with his dashing displays as a member of the formidable Railways team. He was employed with the Central Railway. Later, he joined Bhilai Steel Plant.
