Hockey legend Mohammed Shahid passes away

Hockey legend Mohammed Shahid passed away due to a kidney failure on Wednesday. He was 56.

Mohammed Shahid was born on 14 April 1960 in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He made his international hockey debut against France at the Junior World Cup in 1979.

Shahid was considered one of India’s all time Hockey greats, with exceptional speed and dribbling skills. He was a member of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

In the 1980s, Shahid one of the most popular sportspersons in the country.

For his contribution to the sport and illustrious career, he was awarded Arjuna Award in 1980–1981 and Padma Shri in 1986.

In June, Shahid was admitted to Medanta Medicity in Gurgaon hospital for severe kidney and liver ailments. On July 3, Union Sports minister Dr Jitendra Singh had announced a grant of Rs 10 lakh for ailing Olympic gold medallist.

Shahid’s condition got worse as he slipped into coma late Tuesday night. Following which, he was put on the ventilator as a last resort. He passed away on July 20, while still admitted to the hospital.

The hockey legend is survived by his wife Parveen Shahid and twins Mohammad Saif and Heena Shahid.