Olympians, Internationals and State players of football have urged the Government to recognise the achievements of the greatest ever Football Coach of India, Late S.A. Rahim Saheb.
In a letter to the Secretary All India Football Federation (AIFF), Mr. Kushal Das, the great lovers of football have termed the non-recognition of this legendary Football Coach as ‘great injustice’ done to him. They also pay tribute to Late Rahim Saheb as ‘not only our coach and trainer but also our mentor and philosopher guide’.
Late Rahim Saheb, was the Indian Coach from 1950-1962. Under his coaching, the Indian team, the letter mentions, had the following achievements:
1. Gold medallist in 1951 and 1962 Asian Games. Late S.A. Rahim Saheb was the coach of Indian team for only two Asian Games and on both occasions he brought the gold medal.
2. IV Position at 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
3. At 1960 Rome Olympics, the performance of India was at its best. We lost to Hungary by a goal, drew with France and lost to Peru by two goals. We had reached European standards and would have even got a medal at 1964 Olympics but unfortunately S.A. Rahim Saheb died on 11th June 1963. According to the famous Football commentator, Mr. Novy Kapadia, India was placed at VI position at Rome Olympics.
4. India was unbeaten runners-up at 1959 Merdeka Cup, Malaysia.
5. India was champion at the Quadrangular Football Tournament between India, Undivided Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar – which was the best team in Asia in those days), and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), from 1952 to 1955. Thrice S.A. Rahim Saheb was the Coach.
6. He had a number of achievements with Hyderabad State, Hyderabad Police (the greatest Indian Football Team from 1950 to 1962-63), and Caltek (Bombay), EME (Secunderabad), Osmania University, Combined Schools Team of Hyderabad and with a number of other teams.
The letter, a copy of which is with Radiance Viewsweekly, further says:
“It is unfortunate that AIFF does not even organise a major tournament in his memory. The AIFF can name the Federation Cup as S.A. Rahim Trophy.
“AIFF never ever thought of recommending his name for a befitting award by the Government. This can even be done now.
“Last but not the least, the AIFF can display a portrait of Late S.A. Rahim Saheb at the entrance or at a prominent place in the AIFF office.”
The signatories to this letter include T. Balaram, S.H.H. Hamid, Franco, S. Narayan, Zulfiqaruddin, M. Habib, Dhan Singh, Amrik Singh, Kanik Das, M. Merajuddin Qureshi, M. Liaquddin Khan, A. Kumar and G. M. Pentiah.