Hockey: Muscat-based veteran seeks Bharat Ratna for Dhyan Chand

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Hockey: Muscat-based veteran seeks Bharat Ratna for Dhyan Chand

Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi

Abu Dhabi - Dyan Chand's birthday on Monday is also celebrated in India as the National Sports Day

By Ashwani Kumar

Published: Mon 29 Aug 2016, 1:28 PM

Last updated: Tue 30 Aug 2016, 3:39 PM

Remembering Indian hockey legend Dhyan Chand on his birthday, Muscat-based octogenarian hockey coach and administrator, Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi, has expressed his disappointment that the hockey wizard is yet to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna - India's highest civilian honour.

It is high time India conferred Bharat Ratna on Dhyan Chand, what's your opinion?
- KT Sport (@ktimessport) August 29, 2016

Naqvi arrived in Muscat in early eighties as Oman's first hockey coach and since then has made the Gulf state as his home. He had major contribution in the formative years of the Oman Olympic Committee, which he later served as the technical adviser .
"It's a great injustice. 'Dada' Dhyan Chand should have been the first to get this honour after sportspersons became eligible for the Bharat Ratna in 2011," Naqvi told Khaleej Times over telephone from Muscat.
Naqvi, 84, cherishes the moments spend with his 'Dada'. He has been organising the Dhyan Chand Trophy tournament in Oman for the past seven years. "This year too we will hold the tournament on September 2," yesteryears veteran said.
The native from the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh started playing from eight years. His career graph went up in 1950s, when he met KD Singh Babu, the winner of the Helms Trophy for the best hockey player in the world. Singh recommended Naqvi to Kishen Lal, the captain of 1948 Olympics gold winning team. Naqvi made a name for himself playing for Western Railways.
"It was at a party that 'Dada' asked for me. I must have impressed him as later 'Dada' invited me for lunch. Dhyan Chand used to coach Services XI and Kishen Lal Western Railways or Railways XI. All teams used to train together and Dhyan Chand used to play in the practice matches, giving tips to us."
"It was Dhyan Chand who asked me to join coaching course at the National Institute of Sports in Patiala. He recommended me for 1975-1976 courses."
Later, Naqvi started a new journey to Oman. Now, he is the sports consultant for the Oman Hockey Association.
"I owe my career to three hockey legends - Dhyan Chand, Kishen Lal and KD Singh Babu."
Naqvi, who has two Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Oman government, said: "Dhyan Chand must get Bharat Ratna. I have been supporting this for long," he added.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com