The former Olympic footballer and FIFA referee Syed Shahid Hakim passed away at the age of 82 on Sunday. He was regarded as one of India’s best coaches. He represented India in the 1960 Olympics in the football games. He also helped India finish 6th place in the 1960 Olympics.
Syed Shahid Hakim was a central defender in his playing career. The Hyderabadi defender also turned into the referee and officiated many matches, including Qatar’s 1988 AFC Asian Cup. The Son of a legendary football coach S.A. Rahim had a cardiac arrest and was admitted to a private hospital. The news of him passing away was out on Sunday morning. Syed Shahid Hakim’s wife, Sadia Syeda informed the media after this incident happened.
A big loss to #IndianFootball
Former Olympian, FIFA Referee, @Media_SAI Director, Coach M&M, Sq Ldr SS Hakim left for his heavenly abode.
Hakim saheb did spend considerable time with Delhi football.
My sincere condolences. RIP 🙏
His contributions will never be forgotten. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/38JBEZfaPg— Shaji Prabhakaran (@Shaji4Football) August 22, 2021
“He suffered a cardiac arrest at 8 am today and passed away at 8.30 am. He has been getting treatment after he was admitted in the hospital two days ago following the first stroke,” Sadia Syeda, wife of Syed Shahid Hakim, told Sportstar from Gulbarga (Karnataka).
Last year, Syed Hakim got positive for COVID 19, but he got recovered from it successfully. In 2017, Syed Hakim was also given the Dhyan Chand Award for Life Time Achievement in Sports and Games. Tulsidas Balaram, Hakim’s former teammate who also represented India in the 1960 Olympic games along with him is shocked by this news.
“It is shocking news,’’ said Tulsi Balaram, the Olympian, who also played in the 1960 Olympics. “He played in the centre-half position. Although he was in the Indian team he never got a chance to play in a match. He was a great footballer lover,” Tulsidas Balaram said to Telangana Today on Sunday morning.
