Competition is the mantra for success to India's football legend Mohammed Habib. A household name among soccer fans in India in 1970s and early 1980s, Habib who is here to perform Umrah, talked to Saudi Gazette about the present state of affairs of Indian football. The Arjuna Award winner Habib, a silent assassin to rival teams on soccer field, lamented the gradual death of many renowned national and international tournaments in India which really had set the platform for the growth of football in his days. “Where is competion now? Where are the tournaments? How do the emerging players get a chance to perform,” the former Indian striker hit back at a question about the sorry state of Indian soccer. Born in Hyderabad in 1949 Habib began to wear the boots for professional teams from the age of 15. By donning the colors of City College Old Boys team of Hyderabad Habib shot to fame and virtually ruled Indian soccer by being the hot property of Bengal teams for about two decades. The famed trio of East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting clubs dominated Indian football by grabbing the best available talent in the country. And no wonder that Habib began making waves in Calcutta, representing East Bengal in 1966. A humble and skinny Habib belied his physique by making his boots do the talking in his heyday. He was just a bundle of energy and a dynamite at the rival goalposts. Habib with his brother Akbar formed a deadly striking duo in Bengal and Indian soccer. The three Calcutta clubs competed among themselves for Habib as their prize catch in every soccer season. That Habib became a permanent feature of these clubs for a long span of 18 years speaks volumes of his magnitude as a valuable player. Accolades and laurels were aplenty in Habib's soccer career, from the prestigious Santhosh Trophy to Federation Cup titles. He represented and captained India umpteen times (an indelible name on India's team list from 1965-75) but played in Asian Games thrice and won a bronze medal in Bangkok Games in 1970. Habib, who has dedicated his whole life to soccer, took over coaching from 1986 at Tata Football Academy and continued at different clubs and Indian Football Association (IFA), before retiring as coach of his favorite club Mohammedan Sporting. As a sportsman Habib appreciated the improvement of other sports disciplines like cricket in India but his heart aches when he finds the cricket stumps replacing goalposts at a fast pace in the country. “See the slump in our national game hockey. It failed for the first time to qualify for Olympics. It's too much,” Habib lamented. Money-power is making wonders. Publicity adds to the fame. Habib, who earned just Rs6,000 for a season's contract in 1966 and took the highest of Rs80,000 in 1983, is not at all envious at the millionaire status of the sportsmen, especially cricketers. Habib, who is serving the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as government observer, seemed hesitant to blame the authorities. But he remarked: “Earlier there was no money, but now there is. But “they” have to utilize it to promote the game.” He also underlined the importance of focus. He blamed the present day players who seem to be satisfied with the money they are getting. “One has to improve further to attain world standard. It is the duty of every player.” But he sadly adds, “Once our players get a decent job or contract their fervor for the game ends. There is no shortcut to success, but hardwork.” He appreciated the federation's moves to comply with the FIFA's regulations and statutes but warned: “It should not be at the expense of local priorities. We need more and more tournaments to tap the talent from the young age. And we need platform to perform when players are matured. Just ten teams in the new national professional league won't serve the purpose. Where do the players go? Who will guarantee their future?” While inviting his attention to Saudi soccer and to the improvement in the Gulf as well as other Asian nations' surge Habib said: “They are improving but we remain where we were. We have played in Olympics but now we struggle at the preliminary stage of qualification.” Besides the spiritual satisfaction from Umrah, Habib seemed happy to see Saudis playing football everywhere. He expressed his joy saying, “This is a pleasing scene which is now dying in our country.” The soccer fans of Hyderabad are so thrilled to see the pride of their city here. The Hyderabad Young Men's Association Jeddah and Hyderabad Football Association Jeddah have decided to felicitate Habib on Tuesday. __
