The legendary Ahmed Khan can walk on the streets of Garden City just as Sachin Tendulkar at Guadalajara, Mexico without being identified. But the moment, the legend sets his magic foot on the black soil of Bengal, especially Kolkata, Ahmed is surrounded by thousands of admirers. Surely, Ahmed cannot walk around anywhere without company of the unknowns, the affectionate and the admiring crowds.
Once, this Bangalore boy donned the famed red and gold hues of East Bengal for 13 years on the trot. Ahmed was part of the greatest attack to line up in club soccer in the 1950s, the famous “Pancha Pandavas (Famous Five) of the Maidan”. Venkatesh, Apparao, Dhanraj, Ahmed and Saleh made up the most artistic and yet most destructive attack for the club.
Ahmed was the pick of that lot. He was an inside-left, the No 10, for East Bengal as also for Indian soccer like none else. His footwork, artistry, dribbling, control and scoring prowess were simply mesmerising. He was nicknamed the “snake charmer”. He represented the club from 1949 to 1961 in a row and led the team in 1954 where he was also the top scorer of the season with 63 goals.
He was also part of the Indian team which participated in the 1948 Olympic Games in London and the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. Ahmed also starred in India’s Asian Games gold medal winning performance in New Delhi in 1951-52. He also figured in the 1954 Asian Games.
Ahmed was born in a football family. His father Baba Khan founded the Crescents FC, still playing in the C division of the Bangalore league. His immense talent saw him catch the eye of the selectors and soon he got offers from all around. From Bangalore, Ahmed moved to the Maidan as East Bengal roped him in. The rest, as they say, is history.
Not just history but the golden chapters of Indian football were written during Ahmed’s glorious days. So splendid and wonderful was his contribution to East Bengals and Indian football, that he was chosen as East Bengal’ forward of the millennium at the turn of the century. Even recently, in 2013, he was conferred the ‘Bharat Gourav’ title by East Bengal during its 93rd Foundation Day celebrations.
Ahmed, in fact, is the first footballer to get offers from European clubs. FC Goteborg, the Swedish club, were keen to sign him after playing an exhibition series against the Indian team in India. But the faithful Ahmed Khan refused to accept it.
Narrating the incident, Ahmed said: “I asked my father at that time if I should take it up. He asked me to contact the East Bengal secretary J C Guha. He told me that it is very cold in Europe and that it would affect my game. He advised me to stay on and I did not go.”
“Yes, clubs like Mohun Bagan lured me with big offers and blank cheques but I refused. Once Mannada (Sailen Manna) insisted that I play a particular season for Mohun Bagan. I immediately agreed and the entire gathering was pleasantly surprised. I told Manna da that I would play only on one condition. He said you put any condition but you must play for Mohun Bagan. I said if you play for East Bengal, I will play for Mohun Bagan. He replied it was not possible. Similarly, I said I too cannot take up the offer,” Ahmed said. “Standards have come down very much despite the fact that players get better training facilities and monetary benefits than we got in our prime. I am not complaining but I feel, they lack the commitment that players of my generation showed,” said the legend, the only surviving Olympian footballer of the 13 that Bangalore produced. “I watch some football on television. I like Cristiano Ronaldo’s game. He is very fast and skilful. I rarely go the stadium to watch matches,” said the legend now approaching his 90s. Humble to the point of embarrassment, the likes of Ahmed rarely tread on the sports fields of the country today. His skill, his cool temperament, his achievements and, above all, his humility makes him the greatest footballer from Bangalore, Karnataka and India.
sreekumar@newindianexpress.com
