MOHAMMED SHAHID, THE SORCERER OF THE STICK

In a world that aimlessly hands out superflous epithets and titles for sporstmen with average talent, there comes a time when a true genius walks in and shows the world what real talent is. In this case, the genius walked in with a hockey stick. He was one of the world’s most gifted forwards, the sorcerer of the stick, who could weave through defenders with stickwork that was perhaps, nothing short of magic. The name, Mohammed Shahid.

He was the reason why kids like us watched hockey, dared to hold a stick and try the game, back in the 80s. The sheer poetry with which he dribbled the ball was a treat to the senses. He could compose a haiku with his short, deft passes; create a sonnet with his quick runs; or, often, construct a rivetting ballad by dribbling past 7-8 defenders and score a goal. Mohammed Shahid as centre forward, with Zafar Iqbal playing inside left, and Merwyn Fernandes playing inside right was together one of the most devastating forward attacks that Indian hockey has ever seen.

Today, Mohammed Shahid is battling a different challenge. He is fighting a deteriorating liver and kidney condition in Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon. With his sleight of hand, geometry of angles, miraculous speeds, distinctive feints over defenders, and magical accuracy, Shahid always emerged victorious on the field. I hope he prevails the same way, this time too. I really do.