Indian hockey legend Mohammad Shahid, who was being treated in a private hospital in Gurgaon, passed away today due to multiple organ failure.
“He breathed his last at 10:45 this morning. It was multiple organ failure that led to his passing away. He will be taken to Varanasi and last rites will be performed there tomorrow,” Shahid’s son Mohammed Saif told PTI.
The 56-year-old legend was admitted to Medanta – the Medicity – earlier this month after a bout of jaundice and dengue made his condition worse. He was airlifted from Varanasi.
Known for his dribbling skills, Shahid was considered one of India’s greatest hockey players. He was a member of the V Baskaran-led Indian team that won a gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
He was also a part of the national team that won a silver medal at the Delhi Asian Games in 1982 and bronze in the Seoul Asiad in 1986.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India had lost a talented sportsman.
Modi said, “In the untimely & unfortunate demise of Mohammed Shahid, India has lost a talented sportsman who played with immense passion; vigour. We tried our level best to save Mohammed Shahid but sadly, neither our help nor prayers were enough to save him. Tributes to him. RIP.”
“I am deeply saddened by Shahid’s death. He was a great player and also a great human being. He will be surely remembered as one of the greatest hockey player who played for India,” Balbir Singh (Senior) said.
“It is an irreparable loss and it is sad that great players are remembered only after have they have gone. I pray that God grants peace to his soul and strength to his family to endure the tough time,” he added.
Remembering the time during the 1980 Games in Moscow, M K Kaushik, who was one of the closest friends of Shahid, said his team spirit was amazing.
“He was quite young in 1980 and were very senior to him.
He respected every one and had a jolly nature. His dribbling skills played a crucial part in India winning the gold. The whole world respected his excellent stick work. There was no one who could match him whether it was a creating a penalty corner or firing a field goal,” Kaushik said.
Social media has been inundated with tributes for the hockey magician.
Here are some examples.
In the untimely & unfortunate demise of Mohammed Shahid, India has lost a talented sportsman who played with immense passion & vigour.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2016
We tried our level best to save Mohammed Shahid but sadly, neither our help nor prayers were enough to save him. Tributes to him. RIP.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 20, 2016
Alas! We lost our #Hocky sorcerer Mohammed Shahid
The braveheart fought a lot wit severe liver & kidney problems
RIP pic.twitter.com/DuuZ4iGDH7— Rabindra Kumar Jena (@rabindrakjena) July 20, 2016
Dept. of Sports, GoI, Condoles the sad demise of legendary hockey player Mohammed Shahid. pic.twitter.com/FTeXSbwdj4
— Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) July 20, 2016
mohammed shahid, just to have seen him play was to love hockey the way the game was meant to be played https://t.co/QI3E3v1jT0
— Hartosh Singh Bal (@HartoshSinghBal) July 20, 2016
Our condolences to the friends and family of @TheHockeyIndia legend & Olympic gold winner, Mohammed Shahid. RIP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 20, 2016
Hockey India grieves the untimely loss of India Hockey Legend Mohammed Shahid, who passed away today, 20 July 2016. pic.twitter.com/Sh8Z8qvppe
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) July 20, 2016
RIP Mohammed Shahid, the wizard of my growing years . Remembering his amazing runs and partnership with Zafar Iqbal
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) July 20, 2016
#RIP Mohammed Shahid, The Hockey Superstar of 80's, India has lost a talented sportsman. pic.twitter.com/k2h6T13wUb
— C R Paatil (@CRPaatil) July 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/authoramish/status/755665530770583552
(With PTI inputs)