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International Radio, TV Commentator and Quiz Master of DD Sports & All India Radio, Er.Ahmad Rais Siddiqi (Alig), atlast, got hold of a, forgotten player, who was very famous for his dribbling, dodging and dancing with the hockey stick carrying the ball from one goal post to the net of opponent’s goal post and, thus, generally, scoring the highest goals in all the matches he had played from his School days of “Minto Circle” in AMU Aligarh, to the National and International level Tournaments. He was, always, the backbone of his team, playing as Centre Forward.
However, his luck didn’t favour him as a hockey player, but a successful Engineer in life. Whatever, he is, today, he posses to be a very happy and satisfied person minus a “Hockey Icon.”
Ups and dawns of a forgotten but special hockey player called “Shaida”.  How many of you, do still remember, that, once upon a time, Shaida, had been the highest goal scorer in the National Hockey Championships and was selected in the Indian Camp for the Montreal Olympics and World Championships, twice, but, unfortunately, both the times; he could not represent the country at the last moment, when, the national team was to fly.
First time, he fractured his right index finger and, next time, he faced another serious injury and, thus, could not make the World Cup trip as an Indian Hockey team member, while his team mates, whom he had always, dodged on the field, were, Ajit Pal Singh, Aslam Sher Khan, Govinda, S.P.Singh and others, represented the country and even Captained India.
His juniors, included, former Minto Circle School, team mates, like legend, Zafar Iqbal),my cousin,Naved Zia (former Minto Circle Captain, AMU Captain and Combined Universities Hockey Captain, a member of IA team also), Nawab Sajid Hassan (Who, now works as Finance Manager in PIA’s office in New Delhi) and many other players.
Remember, my friends, if I am not wrong, Naved Zia was also a very famous full back and played very good hockey in AMU, UP Team, Combined Universities team and IA etc., and Dileep Tirkey had played under his Captainship in C U team.Naved also could not go higher because of some serious injuries during matches and, now-a-days, he works with IA in Delhi and also gives part time coaching to some beautiful girls as he told me, recently, in Delhi.
So, the bad luck has been the main culprit for Naved and Shaida.otherwise, both these players had the potentials to become the Captain of Indian Hockey team.
Just their “bad luck.”
Remember, Zafar Iqbal, had played under Shaida’s Captaincy, when Shaida was the Captain of Minto Circle School’s Hockey team,AMU hockey team and UP State Hockey teams etc.
Those who have seen Shaida on the filed, still remember his classical, stick work, dodging, dribbling and fast speed by which he had been running from one corner of the field to the next corner of the field.
Shaida was, always, the main scorer of his teams through out his carrier which lasted very short because of his recurring injuries.But; he was always a treat to watch.
He was my junior in Minto Circle School in AMUA and he has always paid regards to me, so, obviously, I have some special love for him, besides, his hockey achievements.
Shaida, has played from Indian Airlines team under the Captainship of another very specially, respected and loved by all, a player of unique and marvelous quality of hockey game, and that is non other than anyone, but one and the only one, a legend of hockey, Inam-ur-Rehman (Former Olympian and also former Hockey Captain of Minto Circle School, AMUA and a member of AMU hockey and football teams.)
Inam Bhai, was the main person who had brought in many players to the Indian Airlines team, like Zafar Iqbal, Govinda, Aslam Sher Khan, Ajit Pal Singh and many others.Inam Bhai was the first person who formed the INDIAN AIRLINES team and was his Captain, Manager and Coach for over 18 years and won many national Hockey Championships, as he had once told me when I had taken his interview for the National Channel of All India Radio, and for many other magazines from time to time.
So, Shaida had also played under the unique leadership of Inam Bhai and scored many winning goals too.
Shaida, just, told me that once he was playing under the Captainship of Inam Bhai from IA’s team against Germany and he did not get the ball even once for over 45 minutes and the match was to finish soon. “I was upset and angry with my seriors, like, Inam Bhai, Aslam Sher Khan, Govinda and others who were not passing the ball to me but just playing amongst the seniors, thinking that I was a junior. So, they did not give me any pass at all,” Shaida said.
“Some how or the other, my opponent, centre forward, just missed the ball which automatically, came up to my stick.
I thought that now I must not miss this opportunity and I, therefore, carried the ball from my goal post directly, to the goal post of the opponent.
With this, selfish, approach, my seniors, scolded me very much and again did not give me any pass and the IA team was now trailing by 2 goals to 3.ten minutes left, only, pressure developed on our seniors. All nervous and trembling with fear of defeat.
Many efforts went futile. Hand of God, like Mara Dona of football, like, ball again missed by the Captain of Germany, near our goal post, and I again carried the ball directly to the goal and scored a direct field goal.”
All seniors who were shouting and scolding me and even may be abusing like “Abe Bachhay, to kiya kar raha hai; Humain merwaaiy ga kiya”?
I didn’t listen to any one, but scored my first goal of that match.
Inam Bhai said, “Anyway; chhalo, tum ney ek achha goal to kiya mager ab sunmbhal ker khelna warna to tumhari kher nahien beta?”
I said;”Inam Bhai, OK”.
Two minutes remaining, 3-3, both teams, in full force and energy to win, but, again left winger missed a pass and I got the ball and again I did not give my ball to any one and, successfully,but,very carefully, carried the ball up to the goal post and scored another field goal. My team, atlast, won by 4-3.
Thanks God; “I saved my team and my own skin too.”
“All the seniors were surprised with my selfish approach, but kissed me hugged me and even spun me in the air.I was the “Hero” of the match with highest score and the Radio and TV Channels, all, highlighted me like any Supper Star,” Shaida said.
This type of special performances have been the memorable past history of this, otherwise, unfortunate hockey player, who could not play up to his full potentials, otherwise,Shaida would have also been in the category of the legends like, Inam Bhai,
Aslam Sher Khan, Govinda, Ajit Pal Singh, Zafar Iqbal, if not the biggest, Dhyan Chand and his so, Ashok Kumar and Company etc. etc.?
Where is he; what is he and how is he doing? To know all that, now, I take you over to Shaida.
Welcome; to “my very dear, sweet and cute, Shaida Mian and Company”.
My very dear and respected friends, teachers from Minto Circle School and University,AMUAligarh,and all lovely and esteemed readers, to your surprise, at present, Shaida is working at Harduagang Thermal Power Station of UPSEB, in Kasimpur, Aligargh in UP, India, as Sr.Assistant Engineer (Civil) and is,likely,to become Executive Engineer, shortly, as he told me just recently.
Incidentally, Shaida is also my junior at his present posting as I had joined the same UPSEB in Kasimpur. I was the first person who was appointed on sports quota, directly, as Junior Engineer (O&M) in “B” Thermal Power Station, Kasimpur, Aligarh on December 3rd, 1975.My salary at that time was just Rs.421 Per Month.
This time at his home, Shaida told me that the then Superintending Engineer Mr.E.U.Siddiqi had told him on phone from Kasimpur to Aligarh that Ahmad Rais Siddiqi (Me) has been appointed on sports quota, along with a hockey player of AMU, Arshad.He is right because, Mr. E.U.Siddiqi Sahib, had come to my cottage in Aligarh and asked me for some sweets, as he had brought in my appointment letter along with him.
I was astonished to see his love for a sportsman.
Mr.J.C.Mittal, the then General Manager of Kasimpur had asked Mr.Siddiqi to hand over the appointment letter to me at my home.
That was true encouraging and supporting attitude of those sports loving officers of Kasimpur.
They all had loved us very much and supported us too much. They were all very helping and encouraging.
They had also appointed many sportsmen on sports quota from AMUAligarh, itself, irrespective of caste, creed and colour.
Mr.J.C.Mittal was Champion and captain of Banaras Hindu University, Banaras, UP as he once told me that is why his love for such sportsmen was always there. He had appointed many Muslims from AMUA as long as he was there in UPSEB.
There was no better person than Mittal Saheb, whether a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or anyone, who had appointed so many Muslims. But his criteria were to select the best of the lot only as he once told me in Kasimpur.
He even had appointed me after taking my trials in Kasimpur Power House’s Officer Club before hundreds of persons that day.
Sports Officer of UPSEB, Mr.P.C. Rai, had refused to take me by saying that Rais has become an old player so we should take some young person.
Mittal Sahib told him that Rais has just defeated the UPSEB Champion in straight games and that too under ten.
Rais is unbeatable, and I have to take the best today. So Mittal Sahib did not listen to the Sports Officer, Rai, who wanted to take his boy at that time. He was always a partial and useless person and never talked to me, as long as, I was in UPSEB.But, I also did not care about him and played better game and brought the laurels for Mittal Sahib and UPSEB in TT and Lawn tennis both.Once, when I defeated the UP champions in Lucknow, Mittal Sahib, was watching my game so came to me and hugged me and even gave me two notes of Rs.10, that day, like, we give money to Qawwals.
It was my first experience when I received money from anyone on my performance in a match.
So, Mittal Sahib was always happy with my performance.
So, here I want to emphasize that Mittal Saheb,Siddiqi Sahib,,Nagar Sahib and even the then Chairman of UPSEB were all, very sports loving persons and, so we grew there and that is why we still remember them.
They were all very great, encouraging, helping and guiding icons of real sportsmanship.
May Almighty, Allah give them, good health, wealth with satisfaction of life and wife for better happiness and ultimate goal as a perfect person too.Aameen-Summa-Aameen.
So, I have been in touch with him when I was there up to 1984.I left UPSEB,when,I got a better opportunity in NTPC as Assistant Engineer(Operation Services) in Delhi,where,I am still working as Manager(New Business Development) and have got six promotions in NTPC Ltd.
I thought, I should, find out a lost and forgotten hockey specialist and I, therefore, I went from Delhi to Kasimpur, just to have a free and frank chat with him So, now, I mention some of his views, news that you should not refuse or confuse, my dear friends, it is now for your tension to reduce and finally defuse but you promise me not to misuse; I don’t mind if you have any MISS to use? Now; you meet your old friend Shaida and company;”
“Over to Shaida for his expert comments.” (Like we used to hear on Radio and TV of Cricket commentaries, that “Over to Lala Amaranth for his expert comments by Jasdev Singh and company, now my co-commentators on many occasions”.Remember, Lala Amaranth’s son, Rajender Amarnath, Chetan Sharma, Manainder Singh, Surender Khana, all are former Cricket icons, and they all now a days do Radio/TV commentary on many Cricket matches with me. I feel happy to be a team member of such icons, whereas, I am a very small and unknown person.But; thanks God, I am a member of such special and very great persons on radio and TV commentary team. May Allah (God) give me such chances to do more commentaries with such special icons, Aameen–Summa Aameen?
Please, you also pray for me, friends. Thanks. Excerpts of Interview with Mohd. Shaida Ansari of Shahjahanpur, UP, India
Question; Assalam-o-alaikum, my very dear Shaida Mian;
Answer; Waa alaikum assalaam Janaab Ahmad Rais Bhai Sahib.
Q; How are you now?
A; By the grace of Allah, I am very fine. Thanks God.
Q; What is your official date of Birth?
A; I was born on 2nd of July 1950.
Q.What is your place of Birth?
A; I was born in Shahjahan in UP.
Q; What is your father’s name?
A; Late Mr. Abdul Hameed Ansari (Business-Carpet)
Q;What is the very respectable name of your respected Mother?
A; Mrs.Munizah Abdul Hameed.
Q’What is the good name of your lovely and beautiful wife?
A; Yes; Rais bhai, there is no daubt, your bhabi is sitting before you and now you can see, how lovely and beautiful she is really! Her name is Zakia Shaida.
Q; How many cute and intelligent kids, your great wife has awarded you, so far?
A; Zakia is responsible for nurturing and upbringing, very decently and religiously, three very sincere and lovely kids to me. I have three cute children with Zakia.
First is my daughter, Ambreen (means buland or high in stature and respects).She is doing MCA from Indira Gandhi National University.
Second is also daughter, Bushra Shaida and she is doing M.Sc. in Nutrition from AMUAligargh.
And last but not the least is my sincere son, Mohd.Azfar Shaida and he is doing B.Sc. final year in.
Q; what is your flat no?
A; “A.E.-10, Kasimpur Staff Colony”, Kasimpur Power House, Harduagang, Aligarh, UP, India.
Q; How are feeling now-a-days after leaving hockey completely?
A; I am busy in my job at Kasimpur and gives more time in my work, family and attends five times Namaaz(prayers) daily.
Q; What is reason that you completely left playing hockey and there is no love for this game which has brought you to this very high position?
A;Actually,there are no further prospects in hockey as there is no professional competition here in Kasimpur and even at Aligarh,so it is better that I concentrate in my
job which now gives me bread and butter.
Had I been in any metro political city like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta etc., and then it would have been possible to be in touch with hockey game and its administration.But, here, at Kasimpur, there is no interest in hockey at all so I do just enjoy my job, family and Ibadat (daily prayers).
Anyway, I am very happy and satisfied now.
Q; Shaida mian, tell me the truth and the true language of your hockey heart; that, there is still some desire in the heart of your real hearts of not achieving the real goal (mission or target), what, actually, you had desired from the very first day of holding the stick?
A; Rais Bhai; you have really touched upon my hurt feelings.Anyway, when you have put salt on my injuries (mery zakhm per namak Chhirrakh diya hai to), than I now, tell you that I still repent upon one thing that I couldn’t represent my country because of my injuries, only, otherwise, the story would, have, surely, been quite different and interesting?
Q; You were selected twice for the national camps but missed the bus (or rather, plane), why?
A; Rais bhai, I was selected for the national camp after my splendid performance as the highest scorer in the nationals at Pune nationals in 1974. I scored 10 goals.
But, I could not represent the country because; I fractured my right index finger and missed the bus or the trip.
Q; Next time, also, you were selected for the national camp and missed the bus again. Why so?
A; Rais Bhai, this time also, I fractured my leg and again missed the bus.
Q; Twice, you missed the trip for Montréal Olympics and the world Cup; this must have, surely, shattered you completely Shaida mian?
A; Rais bhai, I was totally demoralized and upset, because of these two most unfortunate injuries and thus could not come back again.
Q; Any reason, not to come up again?
A; It is always very very difficult to play the same quality game and because of my injuries and age, I was not able to come up to that levels, though I did play in local events for over 18 years but not up to international standards.
Q; Any major tournaments you had played; tell about those events?
A; I played from Aligarh Muslim University teams as a player and captain for several years. I joined Minto Circle School in 1967 and passed high School in 1969.
I was School captain and Zafar Iqbal and Naved Zia, both, had played under my captainship in many tournaments. I represented Combined Universities team in 1972.
I got the University Colors in 1974-75 and was appointed the AMU captain next year.
I was selected for the national camp in 1974-75 and 76 also.
I became the captain of UP State Hockey team in 1977-78.
In 1975-76, I represented the Nehru Hockey team and played against Spain team.
In 1975-76, I represented Indian Airlines team and played against the teams of Germany, England and Belgium etc.
Represented UP State Electricity Board (UPSEB) teams from 1977 to 1986 and was captain for several years too.
I was also Manager of UPSEB teams from 2002-2003.
My name has also been included in the unique magazine of AMU Aligarh in the list of the prominent hockey players.
Q; What are your educational qualifications so far?
A.I passed Diploma in Civil Engg.from University Polytechnic, AMUA in 1976-77 and passed BE (evening) course from Zakir Hussain College of Engg. & Technology, AMUA in 1994.
I joined my first job in Indian airlines in 1975-76 as a “Sportsman” on an stipend of Rs.350 PM only. I played many tournaments from IA and scored many winning goals. But I did not get satisfaction as the senior players were not giving me the passes in matches, so I found some suffocation in that team .So, I left IA and joined UPSEB as Junior Engineer (civil) at Kasimpur Power House, Aligarh in 1979.
At present, I am working as Senior Assistant Engineer and I hope to become Executive Engineer, anytime; Inshah Alla tala; Aameen summa Aameen.
Q; Many players, generally, do not achieve such higher positions like you have achieved so far. What do you, think, if you had not left IA, then could you have become so big an officer or you could have become a bigger player, playing with players like Zafar Iqbal,Govinda,Ashok Kumar, Aslam Sher Khan,Ajit Pal Singh,Ajit Singh or, even, Inam Bhai etc.What is your reaction today on this?
A; I do not exactly, know, what would have been my fate, had I not left IA? But,I am sure, that, I could not have completed my BE from there and become such big an officer that is sure, and I wanted to get more education which was easy at AMUA,as I was always given the priority as a sportsman and I was offered free hostel facilities from the times of my Minto Circle days till I passed out my BE degree from there..
Q; Do you have any mentor or ideal who encouraged you to become a player?
A; Rais bha; you have asked a very important and essential question now.Yes, most importantly, my father late Abdul Hameed Ansari and my brothers who used to play hockey at Shahjahanpur, had encouraged me to play.But, my mother, begum Munizah Abdul Hameed had always wanted me to become an engineer, so, I always thank them, as they were very instrumental in my upbringing.
But one most important person who had actually changed my life, is Professor Zillur Rehman Khan (Former Chairman Physics Deptt., AMUA), who is the son-n-law of late Dr.Zakir Hussain Khan, former president of India.
Prof.Zillur Rehman Khan had, once, gone to Shahjahanpur as a guest in a Junior UP State Hockey Championships. In that final match, Prof.Zillur Rehman Khan watched me playing there and was very impressed with my game as I was the highest scorer in that very special match and won the final. He asked my parents to allow me to go to Aligarh.But my parents, initially, refused him as I was very young, a boy of 12 years only.
But, ultimately, Khan Sahib requested my parents to allow me to go to AMU Aligarh, and promised them that they will never have to spend a single penny on my education as long as I was in AMUA.
And he gave me the free facilities, free hostel, free foods and everything was free for me and I was admitted in class IX in Minto Circle School, and from there, I passed my High school and than Diploma Engg.and,finally,my BE(Civil) degree. And I never gave any penny for my education because I was given, free facilities as a special sportsman.
So, I can never forget Prof.Khan, in my life and even today, I love and respect him very much.
He is the real mentor for my hockey achievements and education also at AMUA.
All this was possible because of his love for sports and for me.
He always used to go to the hockey ground and tell us the finer points of the trade (Hockey).
He is really a very great sports lover and helping person.
Q; Any regrets of not achieving the highest level in hockey so far?
A; No regrets, except, that I was unfortunate twice, due to my injuries other wise rest is all very fine and perfect and I thin, everyone can not get every thing in life and what ever Allah (God) has given to me, so far, it is still to much for me and I can not actually thank Allah (God) for that all I have with me today.
Now, I want to do more Ibadat (Prayers) namaaz etc., So that I can also become a good man and a good Muslim. This is my desire now.
Q; Last question from you, Shaida mian; Do you believe what Quraan Shareef says that “: Wato Izzo mantashao, Wato zillo mantashaow”, which means; God (Allah) says in Quraan Shareef, that “Hum (ME) jisko Chhahte hain izzat dety hain Aur Hum jisko Chhahte hain zillat dete hain”.It means. God says that; to whom I want, I give him honour and to whom I want, I give him dishonor or insult”. So is it true for you also or not?
A.Rais bhai;You have, really, stolen the voice of my real heart now and I fully believe that whatever Allah(God) had wanted for me, He has actually awarded me with his showers of honour,respect, love and satisfaction in my life.
So, my very dear and cute Shaida mian, that was the past history of your life and I thank you for this interview in which you were true to fullest and I am also impressed with your achievements and your present life as a sincere worker, dedicted husband and loving father and above all as a grateful Muslim to God’s kindness upon you so far.
Best of luck for your next promotion as Exian and happy and healthy life.
Khudahafiz and Fih amaan Allah.
Shaida was also very thankful to me for taking his interview because nobody wants to remember the lost and forgotten icons like Shaida, but I knew his values for a better story for the Hockey lovers of the day.
So, I went from Delhi to Kasimpur for this interview which is, now, ready for you my dear readers.
Now, you can relish this and get motivated also if you are a boy of 12 years only and so?
Keep it up like him but remember; Luck plays an important part in the life of every person, as per “Quran.”
I took leave from him, his courteous wife Zakia, father-in-law, who lives with him there, and his lovely children, as I had gone there along with my wife, Anjum Ahmad, my only child, my daughter, Nadia Ahmad, who, studies in Mater Dei School, near India Gate, in New Delhi, my sister in law, Mrs.Khurseed Qadeer and his lovely son Asad Qadeer.
Incidentally, my wife Anjum’s elder brother,Prof.Syed Qaisar Ali Naqvi, had been his ideal teacher who taught him while Shaida was doing his BE Civil.So,my wife and my Sister-in-law,Mrs.Khurseed and Company, also, became cordial and frank with Shaida and company, who also, praised too much about Prof.Qaisar Naqvi.
I had gone there in my second hand Maruti Car No.DL3C E 0225.Since.it was already to late in the night about 8PM and I had to pass through the wild jungle all along myself only, covering 17 Kms from Kasimpur Power Station to Aligarh, I took leave from Shaida. I was the only driver of my family with four more members. So, I was afraid also but I left Shaida and family for Aligarh and then for Delhi next morning. It was our very nice visit to the very lovely and decent “Shaida and family.” My conclusion of this interview, Shaida still has some grudge in his heart because he could not represent India; otherwise, he would have, surely, been a very famous player and could become Captain of the Indian team. But as far as his job satisfaction is concerned, he is very happy and hopes to achieve more promotions before he retires on 31st July 2010.
But, I believe, that as a player he is missing the status of an Olympian like, Inam ur Rehman, Zafar Iqbal, Ashok Kumar, Ajit Pal Singh, Aslam Sher Khan and Ajit Singh etc., who had played enough hockey with him in IA teams etc.
But, some one has very rightly said that;
Hazaaron Khuwahishain Esi ke her Khuwahish pe Dam nikle;
Bahut nikle mere armaan magar phir bhi kam nikle. Er. Ahmad Rais Siddiqi (Alig)
International Radio, TV Commentator & Quiz Master (DD Sports & All India Radio),
Manager (New Business Development) NTPC Ltd., New Delhi, INDIA,
Science, Environment, Political, Spiritual, Sports & Features Writer,
Former Champion & Captain Minto Circle School, AMUAligarh, UP, India, (1960 to ‘65)
Former Champion & Captain AMU TT Club,(1963-1975)
First Captain Gymkhana Club, AMUA,(1974-75)
First All India Power Sector TT Champion,(1994)
Champion and Captain All India NTPC TT & Tennis Teams (1984-tilldate),
Former UP State TT Captain,
Former member of UPSEB TT & Tennis teams from 1975 to 1984.
Address; 84-G, Sector-7, Jasola Vihar, New Delhi110025, India.
(M) +91 9868390783; Phone no; +91 11 26941345®
E-mail;
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