KOLKATA: Indian football lost a stellar playmaker in the passing of Mohammed Habib on Tuesday. He was a footballer far ahead of his time.
Born in Hyderabad, Habib was the Bade Miya of the maidans of Kolkata, where he plied his trade with distinction for Bengal in Santosh Trophy and the famed troika of Kolkata clubs. He was the top scorer with 11 goals when Bengal won the Santosh Trophy in 1969 with a hat-trick each against Madras and Services.
"He had excellent ball skills," recalls, Syed Nayeemuddin, under whose captaincy Habib won the bronze at the 1970 Asiad. "He was extremely hard working and was always ready to help others in the team."
A forward, Habib was equally adept in the midfield. "You could put him anywhere and he would excel," Nayeemuddin said.
Habib came to Kolkata as a raw, rookie in 1966, joining East Bengal with stars in his eyes. "We not only played together, but also gelled well off the field," Nayeemuddin, also from Hyderabad, said. " It helped that we were from the same city. We became very good friends."
Habib hopped clubs in Kolkata as his legend grew. In 1968, he shifted to Mohun Bagan. In fact, he is often referred to a s being the first professional footballer of India.
One of the highlights of Habib's career was playing for Mohun Bagan against Pele's Cosmos in 1977. In fact, Pele had special words of praise for him. Habib continued to ply his trade in Kolkata till 1984. Later, he became a coach at Tata Football Academy in Jamshedpur and also the Indian Football Association Academy in Haldia.
Towards the later part of his life, Habib developed dementia and Parkinsonism. "I used to tell his wife to let him walk," Nayeemuddin said. "After all, he was a champion footballer. He could overcome the illness." Eventually, he could not. He passed away at the age of 74 at his Hyderabad home in Toli Chowki, leaving behind a legendary career that enriched India football.
Former India captain Victor Amalraj and Telangana Football Association secretary GP Palguna lauded Habib's contribution to Indian football.
(WITH INPUTS FROM TNN/HYDERABAD)
