Inam-ur Rahman, Quixotic Quest in Indian Hockey

Inam-ur Rahman is one of the seven wonders of Indian Hockey, along with Balbir Singh Garewal, Dhyan Chand, K D Singh Babu, Mohammed Shahid, Roop Singh, and Shankar Laxman. He is synonymous with excellence and perfection in hockey and has left an indelible mark on the sport. 

Inam-ur Rahman, a native of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh, played with unparalleled skill and gave many dazzling performances. He had exceptional ball control, displayed mesmerizing dribbling, and always played strategically.

Often touted as “The Don Quixote of Indian Hockey,” Inam’s first major hockey tournament came during the 1958 senior national championship at Hyderabad for All India Schools. His last match was in 1976 Indian Olympic team vs. Rest of the Indian XI – 18 years of the gold standard, divine hockey.

Photo from 1971 (courtesy shyamalbhattacharjee.blogspot.com

A defining moment of Rahman’s illustrious career came during the 1971 Nehru Hockey Tournament final. Rahman’s brilliance shone in a match against a formidable Great Britain side, leading Indian Airlines to victory with two pivotal goals. But despite remarkable talent and undeniable impact, Rahman’s path in hockey was marked by controversies and disappointments, so he remains generally underrecognized.

Inam: The treatment I received from the Indian Hockey Association has left me with a profound disillusionment. If given the chance to relive my hockey career, I would choose not to play. Instead, I would counsel the younger generation to prioritize their studies over pursuing a hockey career. Furthermore, the modern iteration of the sport baffles me when I observe it on television. Its evolution appears to me as hypocritical and nonsensical.

I agree! In contemporary hockey, field goals often stem from deflections rather than the skilled maneuvers once celebrated by enthusiasts. Given the game’s many changes, the question arises: Can hockey still be regarded as an art form?

Inam: It is so intriguing and unfortunate to see and say that the “godly” form of marvel, and artistic hockey has been snatched away by the power and the money of the Europeans ruling the F.I.H. It was just the h.i.t. And run game of the Europeans, and they played it from 1928 to 1975 for about 47 years before they realized that they could not beat India and Pakistan by allowing these two nations to play the artistic form of hockey. The dirtiest thing they did was they scrapped the off-side rule and made it an open game like polo. Hockey is such a dirty game to watch now, as it is no more hockey. It has become a game of polo. Hockey was perhaps the most delectable, artistic and a game full of magic. Now it is hit and run, and that is all nonsense.

Again, I agree! Rolling substitutions have changed hockey in many ways, and it is no wonder that an orthodox great in Inam has a straightforward opinion on this. The introduction of rolling substitutions and the scrapping of off-side rules have eroded the traditional elements that once made hockey thrilling and intellectually engaging. Opportunities for creativity and innovative tactics have dwindled, impacting the magic of scoring goals. These regulations have disrupted fundamental formations, departing from the exceptional quality of hockey play.

Ravi: Can you talk about your brother Ikram-UR Rahman and his hockey talent? 

Inam: My brothers Ikram and Shahid Noor were skilled and hardworking ballplayers with natural skills who worked hard to improve their game. However, their careers were cut short due to favoritism towards players from Punjab.

Ravi: In 1964, you played a vital role in Mohan Bagan’s victories at The Beighton Cup, Aga Khan Cup, and Bombay Gold Cup. Could you share your experiences of playing in national tournaments at that time?

Courtesy YouTube

Inam: Mr. Ashwini Kumar was a prominent figure in Punjab Hockey and the Honorary Chief of Indian Hockey. He led Punjab teams to dominate significant tournaments in India. When I joined Mohun Bagan, a surge in diversity brought fresh talent to the team. We embraced every opportunity to challenge the established order and prove ourselves on the field, competing at the highest level of hockey. 1964, this dedication bore fruit as Mohun Bagan triumphed in four major tournaments. Alongside teammates like Gurbax Singh, Shahid Noor, and Rajkumar, elder brother of Ashok Kumar, we dedicated ourselves wholeheartedly to the cause, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of victory. Our collective effort and passion propelled Mohun Bagan to glory, reaffirming our belief in our capabilities and determination to succeed.

Ravi: Can you discuss team selection, politics, and Dada Dhyan Chand’s influence during the 1968 Mexico Olympics? We could have beaten Pakistan if you had played in the semis.

Inam: The Indian team for the 1968 Olympics had an exceptional line-up that included players like Prithipal Singh, Gurbax Singh, Balbir Singh Garewal, Harbinder Singh, and myself. However, internal conflicts and political maneuvering disrupted our unity and focus, removing our attention from winning gold. This discord demoralized the team and prioritized local players over those best suited for the game, disrupting team composition and morale. A balanced line-up could have led us to victory. We lost in the semi-finals to Australia, which was a setback. My inclusion in the Mexico Olympic team was only due to Dada Dhyan Chand’s influence, the Chief Selector at the time. However, the Indian Hockey Federation (I.H.F.) dictated the team composition, which didn’t align with Dhyan Chand’s preferences. Despite his reservations, Dhyan Chand gave in to the I.H.F.’s demands regarding the team selection. The impact of dirty politics severely affected the team’s morale.

Ravi: As captain of the Indian Airlines hockey team in the 1970s, your leadership helped create a legendary team known for their ruthless style and sublime skills. Could you share memorable experiences? Your insights could inspire the next generation of players.

Inam: I was fortunate enough to have been approached by Indian Airlines and contacted Mr. K.D. Singh Babu to coach the team. To me, K.D. Singh Babu is the epitome of excellence as a hockey player and a coach. Unfortunately, despite his unmatched skill and leadership, he couldn’t secure the gold for India in the Munich Olympics. Had Balbir Singh Garewal and I been senior members of that team, we would have achieved nothing less than gold. Under Babu’s guidance, Indian Airlines achieved unprecedented success in hockey. His keen eye, visionary approach, and unique coaching style shaped the players and led to a remarkable string of tournament victories, setting world records.

Ravi: According to you, who is the best goalkeeper in Indian Hockey?

Inam: I hold Shankar Laxman in the highest regard as the most outstanding goalkeeper in hockey history.

Ravi: Can you share insights into your team’s strategic discussions and planning before essential matches?

Courtesy stick2hockey.com

Inam: In our approach to matches, we were skilled at analyzing our opponents and quickly devising strategies to outmaneuver them, often catching them off guard. In 1971, during the Nehru Finals against the formidable British Olympic team, Ashok and I executed a masterful performance, securing a decisive 2-0 victory. The bewildered British team was left scratching their heads, puzzled by the sudden events. Ashok’s exceptional dribbling skills exploited their vulnerabilities, making them ineffective. At the same time, I used my creative ability to strategically guide them into unfavorable positions, effectively neutralizing their strengths and leading them into what could be termed the “zone of death.”

Ravi: How do you feel being one of the seven wonders of Indian Hockey?

Inam: While it feels adorable hearing about us in great thoughts and praise, it is also disheartening to reflect on the fact that despite our significant contributions to Indian Hockey, Balbir Singh Garewal, Ashok Kumar, B.P. Govinda, and I were never considered for either the Arjuna Award or the Padma Shri. While Ashok and Govinda were honored with the Arjuna Award, Balbir and I were overlooked. In truth, we all deserve to be candidates for the Padma Shri recognition due to our unwavering dedication and impact on the sport of Hockey in India.

Ravi: What message would you like to share with young aspiring hockey players who look up to you as a role model? What are your hopes for the future of Indian Hockey? Is there anything else you’d like to add or share with our audience?

Inam: Modern Hockey lacks the sport’s essence and appears to have an uncertain future. With established standards and fundamental rules such as off-side regulations and infringement protocols, it is easier not to recognize it as actual hockey. Regrettably, the game’s current state is far from its authentic form and seems more akin to a farce. The prospects of hockey appear bleak, resembling a joke rather than a severe athletic pursuit.