14/02/2016
A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.
A story of a Football coach at 77 with his will power hard work and determination he manages to hold a great place in hearts of lovers of the game of football in the valley. Mohammad Abdullah Dar one of the oldest, strongest and respected football coaches of Jammu and Kashmir who resides and trains in Srinagar’s Rambagh Area. At this age one would fail to understand his enthusiasm and love for the game for which he has lived all his life.
Mohammad Abdullah Dar Started playing football in 1958 at school level and became a qualified coach in 1972 from NIS (National Institute of Sports Patiala). Such was his expertise in football that under his supervision he produced many international stars like Majeed Kakroo, Shafi Nari, Gulzar Ahmad, Ishfaq Majeed, Mushtaq Ahmed, Farooq Ahmad and Bashir Beigh.
He retired in the year 2000 as a physical director and during his tenure he served in many colleges of Kashmir, like Baramulla Degree College, Bemina Degree College and was also associated with University of Kashmir from 1976-2000. Since his retirement in 2000 he has started free coaching for all and most of his students are from poor families. His coaching is absolutely free of cost and the greatness of this man is that his selfless services towards the sports arena of Kashmir that too without any monetary benefits he trains his students every day from 7 am to 11:30 am and from 5 pm to 7:30 pm.
One fails to understand the motivating force behind all this but when asked about his love for the game he says “that if he will pass on his skills and knowledge about the game to future generations he will be remembered and rewarded hereafter as well”. He receives money from some well-wishers which is being used to buy Uniforms, Footballs and other necessary stuff required by the players. According to him the owner of Olympic sports sometimes also helps him with the stuff as well.
When asked him about the football association, he was quick to answer that yes sometimes some help also comes from J&K football association but not what is required on a bigger level. His wish is that he want to see an indoor stadium for football in the valley because the weather remains very uncertain and cold for about 4 to 6 months which affects the players and also their performance. At the end Mohammad Abdullah said he would continue to serve the young footballers of Kashmir, however his only grudge is that he never got any recognition by any organization and even J&K govt. ignored him and his efforts have never been appreciated. .......sanjzz
