Naqvi disappointed for not getting ‘Padmashree’

Sports Reporter -

MUSCAT, Jan 26 -

Prominent sports personality SAS Naqvi expressed his disappointment for not being among the Padma Award winners, which was announced by the Indian government on Wednesday.

Naqvi, 87, is a former national coach of Indian women’s hockey team and is residing in Oman and functions as as sports consultant to the Oman Hockey Association.

Naqvi and Friends Group is behind the hockey festival being organised to celebrate the Indian Republic Day in the Sultanate for the past 10 years and is the inspiration behind the Dyanchand Cup, being orgranised in honour of the Indian hockey legend.

“It is really disappointing for me for not being considered for the honour. Three Indian ambassadors have recommended my case before the Indian government,” Naqvi said.

In 2016, Naqvi received the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Asian Hockey Federation’s (AHF) Lifetime Achievement Award.

Naqvi was honoured for his 75 years contribution to hockey in India and the Sultanate in various capacities as an international player, coach of India’s men’s and women’s teams as well as the chief coach of Oman.

Naqvi was also the first coach of the Oman national hockey team.

“I have served 75 years for hockey in India and Oman. I feel that my services has not been recognised by the government of India. At an age of 87, I am still committed to work for the improvement of sports relations between India and Oman,” the veteran said.

Naqvi, during his early years in hockey, was close to Indian hockey legend Dada Dhyan Chand and hockey stalwarts like KD Singh Babu and Kishan Lal.

Naqvi, during his stay in Oman, had established the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) in 1983 and given the charges as the technical adviser from 1984 to 2003. This is the unique record with him that he accompanied the Olympic delegation of Oman in 1988 Seoul, 1992 Barcelona, 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games.

He had also helped in the preparation for the 1984 Los Angles and Athens 2004. He has also the distinction to accompany the Asian Games delegations to 1982 Delhi (as chief hockey coach) 1986 Seoul, 1990 Beijing, 1994 Hiroshima, 1998 Bangkok and made preparation for the 2002 Asian Game at Pusan. He was the coach of Indian women’s teams for the Madrid World Cup 1978 and a tour of a Holland, France and Britain.

Naqvi has been awarded the Indo-Oman friendship award by the former Indian ambassador Anil Wadhwa and presented by the then minister of sports affairs Ali bin Masoud al Sunaidy at the Embassy of India in 2010. Among other awards, Naqvi had won Rajiv Gandhi Award in New Delhi and in 2014, Indian Social Club, Muscat had honoured with the Man of the Year Award.