Olympian footballer Ahmed Hussain no more
A product of Nizam College, Hussain was a stout defender known for his tight marking and tight tackling
Hyderabad: Ahmed Hussain, who was part of the golden era of Indian football in 1950s, passed away in Bengaluru on Friday. He was 89. He died of Covid-19.
He was part of the Indian team that won the gold medal in 1951 Asian Games. He was also a member of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics Indian football team that reached the semifinals. He also took part in the 1958 Asian Games in Tokyo, Japan.
A product of Nizam College, Hussain was a stout defender known for his tight marking and tight tackling. He later on played for the famous Hyderabad Police under the legendary coach MA Rahim. He later on moved to Kolkata in 1957 to play for Mohammedan Sporting and Mohun Bagan
Olympian SS Hakim said he played under Hussain for the Osmania University team that won the all India inter-varsity title in 1954. He played for the State team for three years.“Hussain was one of the giants of the Indian football team. He was one of the greatest stopper backs of the country. Despite his glorious achievements he never received any honours from the government. He truly deserved a Padma Sri,’’ he said.
After retiring from the game, he took to coaching and joined the Sports Authority of India. He was deputed to Bengaluru and settled down in that city.
Former Indian captain Victor Amalraj added Hussain was one of the top defenders of the country. “He excelled as a defender and was popularly known as the Great Wall of India,’’ said Amalraj.
Hussain, a ‘paan’ chewing, genial and articulate, was a keen student of the game, according to football columnist SS Shreekumar. “He was an astute coach and a true gentleman. He had a keen eye for young talent,’’ he said.
In 2009, Hussain along with his fellow compatriots of the 1956 Olympics team were felicitated by the then Sports Minister MS Gill in honour of their achievements.
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