It Is All " FARCICAL " And " BRAINLESS " Hockey that Is Being Played Now - " Hockey Is " ZERO " Without " OFF-SIDE " Rules Into It
Inam-ur Rahman is one of the seven wonders of Indian Hockey, along with Balbir Singh Garewal, Dhyan Chand, K D Singh Babu, Mohammed Shahid, Roop Singh, and Shankar Laxman. He is synonymous with excellence and perfection in hockey and has left an indelible mark on the sport.
Inam-ur Rahman, a native of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, played with unparalleled skill and gave many dazzling performances. He had exceptional ball control, displayed mesmerizing dribbling, and always played strategically.
Often touted as “The Don Quixote of Indian Hockey,” Inam’s first major hockey tournament came during the 1958 senior national championship at Hyderabad for All India Schools. His last match was in 1976 Indian Olympic team vs. Rest of the Indian XI – 18 years of the gold standard, divine hockey.
Photo from 1971 (courtesy shyamalbhattacharjee.blogspot.com
A defining moment of Rahman’s illustrious career came during the 1971 Nehru Hockey Tournament final. Rahman’s brilliance
shone in a match against a formidable Great Britain side, leading Indian Airlines to victory with two pivotal goals. But despite remarkable talent and undeniable impact, Rahman’s path in hockey was marked by controversies and disappointments, so he remains generally underrecognized.
Inam: The treatment I received from the Indian Hockey Association has left me with a profound disillusionment. If given the chance to relive my hockey career, I would choose not to play. Instead, I would counsel the younger generation to prioritize their studies over pursuing a hockey career. Furthermore, the modern iteration of the sport baffles me when I observe it on television. Its evolution appears to me as hypocritical and nonsensical.
I agree! In contemporary hockey, field goals often stem from deflections rather than the skilled maneuvers once celebrated by enthusiasts. Given the game’s many changes, the question arises: Can hockey still be regarded as an art form?
Inam: It is so intriguing and unfortunate to see and say that the “godly” form of marvel, and artistic hockey has been snatched away by the power and the money of the Europeans ruling the F.I.H. It was just the h.i.t. And run game of the Europeans, and they played it from 1928 to 1975 for about 47 years before they realized that they could not beat India and Pakistan by allowing these two nations to play the artistic form of hockey. The dirtiest thing they did was they scrapped the off-side rule and made it an open game like polo. Hockey is such a dirty game to watch now, as it is no more hockey. It has become a game of polo. Hockey was perhaps the most delectable, artistic and a game full of magic. Now it is hit and run, and that is all nonsense.
Again, I agree! Rolling substitutions have changed hockey in many ways, and it is no wonder that an orthodox great in Inam has a straightforward opinion on this. The introduction of rolling substitutions and the scrapping of off-side rules have eroded the traditional elements that once made hockey thrilling and intellectually engaging. Opportunities for creativity and innovative tactics have dwindled, impacting the magic of scoring goals. These regulations have disrupted fundamental formations, departing from the exceptional quality of hockey play.
Ravi: Can you talk about your brother Ikram-UR Rahman and his hockey talent?
Inam: My brothers Ikram and Shahid Noor were skilled and hardworking ballplayers with natural skills who worked hard to improve their game. However, their careers were cut short due to favoritism towards players from Punjab.
Ravi: In 1964, you played a vital role in Mohan Bagan’s victories at The Beighton Cup, Aga Khan Cup, and Bombay Gold Cup. Could you share your experiences of playing in national tournaments at that time?
Inam: Mr.
Ashwini Kumar was a prominent figure in Punjab Hockey and the Honorary Chief of
Indian Hockey. He led Punjab teams to dominate significant tournaments in
India. When I joined Mohun Bagan, a surge in diversity brought fresh talent to
the team. We embraced every opportunity to challenge the established order and
prove ourselves on the field, competing at the highest level of
hockey. 1964, this dedication bore fruit as Mohun Bagan triumphed in four
major tournaments. Alongside teammates like Gurbax Singh, Shahid Noor, and
Rajkumar, elder brother of Ashok Kumar, we dedicated ourselves wholeheartedly
to the cause, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of victory. Our collective
effort and passion propelled Mohun Bagan to glory, reaffirming our belief in
our capabilities and determination to succeed.
Ravi: Can you discuss team
selection, politics, and Dada Dhyan Chand’s influence during the 1968 Mexico
Olympics? We could have beaten Pakistan if you had played in the semis.
Inam: The
Indian team for the 1968 Olympics had an exceptional line-up that included
players like Prithipal Singh, Gurbax Singh, Balbir Singh Garewal, Harbinder
Singh, and myself. However, internal conflicts and political maneuvering
disrupted our unity and focus, removing our attention from winning gold. This
discord demoralized the team and prioritized local players over those best
suited for the game, disrupting team composition and morale. A balanced line-up
could have led us to victory. We lost in the semi-finals to Australia,
which was a setback. My inclusion in the Mexico Olympic team was only due to
Dada Dhyan Chand’s influence, the Chief Selector at the time. However, the
Indian Hockey Federation (I.H.F.) dictated the team composition, which didn’t
align with Dhyan Chand’s preferences. Despite his reservations, Dhyan Chand
gave in to the I.H.F.’s demands regarding the team selection. The impact of
dirty politics severely affected the team’s morale.
Ravi: As captain of the Indian
Airlines hockey team in the 1970s, your leadership helped create a legendary
team known for their ruthless style and sublime skills. Could you share
memorable experiences? Your insights could inspire the next generation of
players.
Inam: I
was fortunate enough to have been approached by Indian Airlines and contacted
Mr. K.D. Singh Babu to coach the team. To me, K.D. Singh Babu is the epitome of
excellence as a hockey player and a coach. Unfortunately, despite his unmatched
skill and leadership, he couldn’t secure the gold for India in the Munich
Olympics. Had Balbir Singh Garewal and I been senior members of that team, we
would have achieved nothing less than gold. Under Babu’s guidance, Indian
Airlines achieved unprecedented success in hockey. His keen eye, visionary
approach, and unique coaching style shaped the players and led to a remarkable
string of tournament victories, setting world records.
Pic - :: The Indian Airlines Team Which Beat The Olympic Great Britain Team By 2-0 In The Finals Of The All India Jawaharlal Nehru Cup Hockey At New Delhi .Ashok Kumar ( sitting ) At The Extreme Right was adjudicated as the Player Of The match And Inam - Ur - Rehman( Standing, 4th from Left ) Was Adjudicated As The Player Of The Tournament
The team that one glances at it here is as follow-;;
Ravi: According to you, who is the best goalkeeper in Indian Hockey?
Inam: I
hold Shankar Laxman in the highest regard as the most outstanding goalkeeper in
hockey history.
Ravi: Can you share insights
into your team’s strategic discussions and planning before essential matches?
Inam: In our
approach to matches, we were skilled at analyzing our opponents and quickly
devising strategies to outmaneuver them, often catching them off guard. In
1971, during the Nehru Finals against the formidable British Olympic team,
Ashok and I executed a masterful performance, securing a decisive 2-0 victory.
The bewildered British team was left scratching their heads, puzzled by the
sudden events. Ashok’s exceptional dribbling skills exploited their
vulnerabilities, making them ineffective. At the same time, I used my creative
ability to strategically guide them into unfavorable positions, effectively
neutralizing their strengths and leading them into what could be termed
the “zone of death.”
Pic - ::, 1968 - Inam - Ur - Rehman playing For Bengal In The Rangaswamy Cup Hockey National, Trying To Score One From The Inside Right Position Against Assam
Ravi: How do you feel being one of the seven wonders of Indian HockeyA
Inam: While
it feels adorable hearing about us in great thoughts and praise, it is also
disheartening to reflect on the fact that despite our significant contributions
to Indian Hockey, Balbir Singh Garewal, Ashok Kumar, B.P. Govinda, and I were
never considered for either the Arjuna Award or the Padma Shri. While Ashok and
Govinda were honored with the Arjuna Award, Balbir and I were overlooked. In
truth, we all deserve to be candidates for the Padma Shri recognition due to
our unwavering dedication and impact on the sport of Hockey in India.
Ravi: What message would you
like to share with young aspiring hockey players who look up to you as a role
model? What are your hopes for the future of Indian Hockey? Is there anything
else you’d like to add or share with our audience?
Inam: Modern
Hockey lacks the sport’s essence and appears to have an uncertain future. With
established standards and fundamental rules such as off-side regulations and
infringement protocols, it is easier not to recognize it as actual hockey.
Regrettably, the game’s current state is far from its authentic form and seems
more akin to a farce. The prospects of hockey appear bleak, resembling a joke
rather than a severe athletic pursuit.
Mr Shyamal Bhattacharjee, the author was born at West Chirimiri Colliery at District Surguja, Chattisgarh on July 6th 1959 He received his early education at Carmel Convent School Bishrampur and later at Christ Church Boys' Higher Secondary School at Jabalpur. He later joined Hislop College at Nagpur and completed his graduation in Science and he also added a degree in B A thereafter. He joined the HITAVADA, a leading dailies of Central India at Nagpur as a Sub-Editor ( Sports ) but gave up to complete his MBA in 1984 He thereafter added a Diploma In Export Management. He has authored SIX books namely Notable Quotes and Noble Thought published by Pustak Mahal in 2001 Indian Cricket : Faces That Changed It published by Manas Publications in 2009 and Essential Of Office Management published by NBCA, Kolkatta in 2012, GOLDEN QUOTES on Inspiration, Sorrow, Peace and Life, published by B.F.C Publications, Lucknow, and QUOTES:: Evolution and Origin of Management Electives by Clever Fox Publishing, Chennai and From Dhyan To Dhan :: Indian Hockey - Sudden Death Or Extra Time published by Clever Fox Publishing House . He has a experience of about 35 years in Marketing .
Signature Of Shyamal Bhattacharjee
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