JEDDAH, 16 May 2008 — Indian international and former Olympian footballer Mohammed Habib was felicitated by the Hyderabad Young Men’s Association, Jeddah, at the Shadab Restaurant on Tuesday night. Habib, who has done a yeoman’s service for Indian football, was praised and appreciated at the well-attended function.
His friends and compatriots recounted memories of the great footballer’s feats. Those present, among them a good number of youngsters, were told that dedication and hard work is the precursor to all achievements with all the speakers using Habib as a prime example.
Hyderabad Football Association President Sarwar Aziz, who in his early years had played with Habib, brought alive Habib’s magic on the field. He rounded off this humble man’s feats by saying that during the Cosmos-Mohun Bagan encounter in Kolkata in 1977 the great Pele gave this accolade to Habib by saying, “It was a privilege to play with one so gifted in the game.”
Syed Ather Hussain Zaidi, an architect, recollected the heyday of Hyderabad when Habib and his brothers donned the club and state colors. He also highlighted Habib’s mastery on the field and praised his endurance that saw him as a pivotal player in the hard leagues of Bengal.
“No one can survive in Bengal for one match without talent. That Habib played for nearly 16 seasons there before serving another 16 years as the Tata Football Academy director bears testimony to his ability and character,” he said. HYMA’s President Syed Nemath Hussain too lauded Habib’s contribution.
Dr. Abdullah Moopan and T.P. Ahmed, both of Saudi-Indian Football Federation (SIFF), highlighted the fact that Habib is a well-known figure in India and also Kerala while elaborating on the role played by SIFF to promote the game here among the Indians.
Arab News Associate Editor L. Ramnarayan Iyer recollected the only season he was fortunate enough to witness Habib’s mesmerizing football in Cooperage, Mumbai.
As a student he along with his father and brother were regulars at the Western India Football Association matches, and Habib for one season played with the Tatas Sports Clubs. “Sitting in the stands the only way one realized that Habib had the ball and was making a dash through a host of players at the far end was the desperate catcalls of fans from the other end of the stand shouting “pakkad”, “pakkad.”
It meant catch him. Again the same call would arise with the fans egging the goalkeeper to catch the unerring shot unleashed by Habib.”
Habib, in his address, said that people thought him worthy of these accolades was all the will of Allah. “I’m just a humble person like all of you. But I can tell you that along with God’s blessings hard work and a will to succeed in the world’s greatest game is all you need to achieve your goals.”
Earlier, Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki welcomed the guests and Mir Shabbir Ali proposed a vote of thanks. Air Wings, Jeddah, Aero-Wings, Hyderabad, J.C. Cargo, Jeddah and Shadab Restaurant sponsored the function.
