1. Overview
Mohammed Shahid (मोहम्मद शाहिदHindi; April 14, 1960 - July 20, 2016) was an esteemed field hockey forward from India, widely regarded as one of the greatest Indian hockey players of all time. He was celebrated for his exceptional dribbling skills, remarkable running ability, and his distinctive 'half push-half hit' technique. A pivotal member of the Indian team, Shahid played a crucial role in securing the gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. His contributions to Indian hockey also included a silver medal at the 1982 Asian Games and a bronze medal at the 1986 Asian Games. He was honored with prestigious awards such as the Arjuna Award in 1980-1981 and the Padma Shri in 1986, recognizing his significant impact on the sport.
2. Early Life and Background
Mohammed Shahid's early life was rooted in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, where he developed his initial interest in field hockey before rising to national and international prominence.
2.1. Birth and Family
Mohammed Shahid was born on April 14, 1960, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was the youngest among his siblings, with six elder brothers and three sisters. His father operated a small hotel located in the Ardali Bazar area of Varanasi, providing a humble background for the future hockey star.
3. Playing Career
Mohammed Shahid's playing career spanned from his junior team debut in 1979 to his retirement from international hockey in 1989, during which he became renowned for his unique style and significant achievements on the field.
3.1. Early Career and Debut
Shahid commenced his international playing career by representing India in the junior team at the Junior World Cup held in France in 1979. His impressive performance in the Aga Khan Cup led to his inclusion in the senior national team in the same year. He made his senior team debut in a four-nation tournament in Kuala Lumpur, playing under the captaincy of Vasudevan Baskaran.
3.2. Playing Style and Key Contributions
During his active years, Shahid was distinguished by his extraordinary running speed, exceptional dribbling prowess, and a unique technique known as the 'half push-half hit'. This innovative stroke allowed him to hit the ball with the same grip he used for dribbling, using a minimal back lift to powerfully and accurately slam the ball towards his teammates, enabling swift and precise passes. His attacking partnership with Zafar Iqbal on the field was particularly renowned. Playing in the left-out and right-in positions, respectively, Zafar and Shahid were celebrated for their superb understanding and ball-passing abilities, which allowed them to penetrate even the strongest of defenses worldwide. Zafar Iqbal himself highlighted Shahid's crucial role in India's gold medal victory at the 1980 Olympic Games, stating that without Shahid, the team would have faced significant difficulties. Shahid's revolutionary 'half push-half hit' stroke was later adopted by his successor, Dhanraj Pillay, who was a keen admirer of Shahid's mastery. Shahid emerged from the Sports College Lucknow, which also produced other notable hockey players of the 1980s, including Ravinder Pal Singh, his teammate from the 1980 Moscow Olympics, and Rajinder Singh Rawat, the goalkeeper for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics team, among many others who represented India at junior and senior international levels. The Sports College and its associated hostels were conceived by another celebrated hockey figure from the 1950s, Kunwar Digvijay Singh "Babu".
3.3. Major International Tournaments and Achievements
Mohammed Shahid participated in several major international tournaments, contributing significantly to India's medal tally. He was a key member of the Indian team that achieved the following:
- A gold medal at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.
- A silver medal at the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi.
- A bronze medal at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
He was recognized as the 'Best Forward player' at the 1980 Champions Trophy held in Karachi. His remarkable skill at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games earned him a place in the prestigious Asian All-Star team in the same year. Beyond these medal-winning performances, Shahid also competed in the Hockey World Cup in Mumbai (then Bombay) in 1981-82, and represented India at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Throughout his international career, he earned 167 caps and scored 66 goals for the national team.
3.4. Captaincy and Retirement
Mohammed Shahid took on the responsibility of captaining the Indian national hockey team during the period of 1985-1986. After a distinguished career spanning a decade, he announced his retirement from international hockey in January 1989.
4. Post-Playing Career
Following his retirement from competitive field hockey, Mohammed Shahid transitioned into a sports officer role. He worked for the Indian Railways and was based in his hometown of Varanasi.
5. Personal Life
Mohammed Shahid's personal life included his family and a marriage that resulted in children. He married Parvin in 1990. Together, they had twin children, a son named Saif and a daughter named Hina. His family roots remained in Varanasi, where his father had run a small hotel in the Ardali Bazar area.
6. Death
Mohammed Shahid passed away on July 20, 2016, in Gurgaon, Haryana, India, after battling a serious illness. In June 2016, he was admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon due to a severe liver disease. His condition had worsened after he had initially ignored a bout of jaundice, leading to a deterioration of both his liver and kidneys. The day after his death, his funeral was conducted in his hometown of Varanasi. The ceremony was attended by numerous dignitaries, including local politicians, officials, and several notable Olympians. Among those present to pay their respects were his former teammate Zafar Iqbal, along with Ashok Kumar, Sujit Kumar, R. P. Singh, Shaqil Ahmed, and Sardar Singh, all of whom were prominent figures in Indian hockey.
7. Awards and Recognition
Mohammed Shahid received several significant awards and official recognitions throughout his career, cementing his status as a celebrated figure in Indian sports:
- Arjuna Award (1980-1981): Awarded by the Government of India to recognize outstanding achievement in national sports.
- Padma Shri (1986): India's fourth-highest civilian award, recognizing his distinguished contribution to the field of sports.
- Best Forward player at the 1980 Men's Hockey Champions Trophy.
- Selection for the Asian All-Star team in 1986, following his exceptional performance at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.
8. Legacy and Influence
Mohammed Shahid's impact on field hockey endures through his unique playing style and the influence he had on subsequent generations of players. He is widely considered one of the finest Indian hockey players in history, admired for his artistic dribbling and electrifying pace. His innovative 'half push-half hit' technique left a lasting mark, becoming a notable part of the sport's tactical lexicon and inspiring players like Dhanraj Pillay to adapt and incorporate it into their own game. Shahid's contributions are remembered not only for the medals he helped India win but also for the joy and excitement his presence brought to the game, establishing a formidable legacy in Indian hockey.