Hyderabad: When it comes to football, India—and especially Hyderabad—might not be the first place that comes to mind. Yet, many would be surprised to learn that in the post-independence era, a coach from Hyderabad led India’s football team to a gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta and achieved remarkable success in the sport.
The mastermind behind this success was Syed Abdul Rahim, a Hyderabadi from Malakpet. Rising from the streets of Hyderabad, where he played for local teams under British rule and the city’s nobility, Rahim became the coach of the national football team. His journey and achievements have been dramatized in the recently released film Maidaan, starring Ajay Devgan, which chronicles Rahim’s efforts in building a team under extraordinary circumstances and challenging conditions.
Winning gold in 1962 was a remarkable achievement for the Indian team, especially given the hostile environment in Jakarta, including the frosty reception they received during the medal ceremony,” said Rabia Jaffer, who conducted extensive research for the film Maidaan and uncovered details about Hyderabad’s illustrious football history.
The victory in Jakarta was a significant achievement marred by diplomatic tension when an Indian diplomat publicly criticized the exclusion of Israel and Taiwan from the competition. This sparked anger among Indonesians, leading to public protests against the Indian team. Today, much of Hyderabad’s rich football history is sadly overlooked, as football lacks the reverence enjoyed by cricket.
Understanding the city’s history and figures like Rahim is crucial, as they had the potential to alter India’s sporting trajectory if not for Rahim’s untimely passing in 1963.
Football and Hyderabad
Football, like in many Indian cities, was introduced by the British for recreational purposes, and they formed their own teams. Syed Abdul Rahim started his journey as a player in this setting. ‘He was a remarkable player to watch,’ noted Rabia Jaffer. ‘He was also part of Raja Dhanrajgir’s team, which played against the British. Later, he transitioned into coaching, becoming known for coaching at school, college, Osmania University, and eventually the national team.
Decades ago, the Hyderabad City Football Club was a hub that attracted numerous players who also received job support, such as positions in customs. ‘Many Hyderabadi players held significant jobs,’ noted Jaffer. ‘Rahim’s son Hakim, for instance, served in the Air Force under similar circumstances. Football offered little financial reward.’
“Nevertheless, Syed Abdul Rahim persisted in his quest to build a national team. The opening scene of the movie Maidaan poignantly captures this journey: barefoot Indian footballers suffering a 10-1 defeat in 1952 in Yugoslavia (now Serbia). From there, Rahim took it upon himself to scout the finest players and assemble the best possible Indian team.
Hyderabad held immense potential in its heyday, which prompted my research,” Jaffer explained. “Syed Abdul Rahim was truly exceptional; he was universally admired. His scouting for new players touched countless lives,” Jaffer added, noting that footballers of that era did not typically adhere to specialized diets.
In the Hyderabad City Police team, they simply ate dal rice and resided in their barracks. Patriotism was their uniform. Before independence, excelling in sports became a matter of national pride as Indians realized they could triumph over the British,” she told Siasat.com. “As depicted in the movie Maidaan, one of the Indian team’s significant achievements under Syed Abdul Rahim was a 7-1 victory over Australia in the 1956 Melbourne Summer Olympics, followed by the remarkable gold at the 1962 Asian Games.
“However, after Rahim’s passing due to cancer, and the subsequent lack of support in the following years, everything he had built slowly eroded. According to Jaffer, this is how Hyderabad has seemingly forgotten its football glory days.
