Former Olympian Syed Habibul Hassan passes away in Hyderabad

Former Olympian Syed Habibul Hassan, popularly known as Hamid, passed away in Hyderabad at 85. He represented India at the 1960 Rome Olympics and played for several clubs. Telangana Football Association and former players paid tributes to the football legend

Hyderabad: Former football Olympian Syed Habibul Hassan, popularly known as Hamid in sporting circles, passed away here on Friday. He was 85. He is survived by a son and four daughters.

Telangana Football Association, led by Secretary GP Palguna, paid rich tributes to the football great of yesteryears.

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Hamid represented India in the 1960 Rome Olympics and had played for Hyderabad Sporting Club, Hyderabad Police, Mohammedan Sporting Club and South Central Railway in the domestic circuit.

Hamid, unlike many footballers of his era, did not have much fascination to play in the famous Kolkata league, which was then one of the most preferred destinations for many footballers of his time. He once revealed that he did not relish playing in the slushy outfields of the maidans in Kolkata.

Hamid, who was rated by many as a complete all-rounder, being too good in all three key positions – left-in, striker and right-in – felt it a “privilege” to play alongside some of the football greats from India like PK Banerjee, Chuni Goswami, Lateef and Jarnail Singh. Like many from the city, this gifted footballer too owed his success to the legendary coach SA Rahim.

Former India football captains Shabbir Ali and Victor Amalraj, and ex-international Aleem Khan were among those who expressed condolences.