Mariappa Kempaiah

Mariappa Kempaiah (4 March 1932 – 2 July 2008) was an Indian professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for the India national team at two Olympic Games. Known for his “fitness, work rate and commitment”, he was considered one of India’s best midfielders.
He had also played for India in the International Quadrangle Football tournament, played in the now Bangladesh in 1955 and in Asian Games held in Japan in 1958. At club level, Kempaiah played for Bangalore Muslims till 1956 before he moved to East Bengal where he played for a year. Between 1957 and 1965, he played for Mohun Bagan. In the inter-provincial Santosh Trophy, played for Mysore.