Ex-hockey stalwart of Vidarbha Asadullah Khan passes away

Sports Reporter :

WELL-ACCLAIMED former hockey player of Amravati and ace midfielder of Vidarbha, Asadullah Khan passed away, Monday midnight. He was 87. Asadbhai, as he was fondly known as, is survived by five daughters and two sons.

The burial was performed at Badnera, Amravati, Monday morning. “Asadbhai was admitted to a hospital in Amravati three days ago after he suffered a severe heart attack and on Sunday night he passed away,” Faiyyaz Qureshi, a former hockey player and national-level hockey umpire, informed ‘The Hitavada’. A student of Nagpur’s renowned coach Gafoorbhai, Asadbhai was doyen of Amravati hockey. He was the founder member of Amravati District Hockey Association and life member of Vidarbha Hockey Association. Asadbhai also served as the Vice-President of Vidarbha Hockey Association (VHA).

Asadbhai started his hockey journey with his school team and played for Amravati in the then famous Berar tournament. Asadbhai, after finding a job with Railways, joined Bhusawal Division in 1958 and represented Central Railways in inter-division meets till 1975. A majestic centre half, Asadbhai was the most trusted midfielder. He was frail but was equally agile on his feet. Playing for New Star Hockey Club, Badnera and Nagpur United Club, Asadbhai, who also represented Indian Railways, won accolades while playing several all India-level tournaments at Bombay (now Mumbai), Calcutta (Kolkata), Madras (Chennai), Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Khandwa, Katni, Nagpur, to name a few. He also represented Vidarbha teams from 1962 to 1968 and was also part of the side which played an exhibition match against visiting East Germany team at Nagpur on January 23, 1968. Asadbhai was also coach of Vidarbha teams in 1978, 1981, 1982 and 1986.