When I was 19, I was gearing up for exams and daily life but at the same age Mohammed Shahid made his name in international hockey against France in Junior World Cup. This was just the beginning of his iconic career when he blew the hockey arena in 1980 with his skills and exceptional talent. His master stroke of dribbling the ball earned him millions of fan following in the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games.
The iconic Hockey player Mohammed Shahid passed away after battling kidney and liver problems at a Gurgaon hospital on Wednesday. He was 56.
The great stalwart of Indian Hockey was battling for life after a bout of jaundice and dengue made his condition worse. He was airlifted from Varanasi and admitted to the Gurgaon hospital.
Sadness spread all over the hockey fraternity and tributes came pouring down as the news spread across the country. The Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Modi expressed grief over the untimely demise of the hockey legend and said that the country has lost a talented sportsman.
In his tweet Mr. Modi said,“In the untimely and unfortunate demise of Mohammed Shahid, India has lost a talented sportsman who played with immense passion & vigour,”
Further he added, “We tried our level best to save Mohammed Shahid but sadly, neither our help nor prayers were enough to save him. Tributes to him. RIP.”
In his condolence message, Mr. Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi, one of the highly respected figures of Asian Hockey, who has been associated with Indian and Asian Hockey for past 75 years, wrote on his facebook,” The Olympian & Hockey Star of Golden Era of Indian Hockey, Mr. Mohammed Shahid was artist with Hockey and most stylish inside left who had dominated Hockey field with dynamic dribbling power. Such players are rarely born. He had played during my time and we were very close friend he was representing North Eastern Railway Gorakhpur, U.P. & Railways XI, Olympic and Asian Games and International tournaments regularly.”
Further he spoke,” I am really shocked to hear the sad news as the Golden Era Hockey stalwarts are leaving one by one. Recently Olympian J. Antic had expired last week, who belonged to Hyderabad. I am deeply grieved and offer my deepest condolences to bereaved family. May God bless his soul in peace.”
Mr. Naqvi, also one of the life time members of Oman Hockey Federation, spoke on behalf of the Oman Hockey Fraternity and said, “The Hockey fraternity from Muscat, Sultanate of Oman join to send their condolences.”
The Indian Hockey Body, Hockey India in their official message said,” Heartfelt condolences from all at Hockey India to the family of India Hockey Legend Mohammed Shahid who passed away today, 20 July 2016.”
For his love of hockey, Mohammed Shahid won Arjuna Award and Padma Shri and after his retirement was living in his home town Varanasi. People will write that he is survived by his wife and twin children but I will say he will live forever.