Football Is My Language - Shabbir Ali

Shabbir Ali's career reads like a dream for one wanting to make it big in football. And affirms that one CAN do it. A journey, fuelled by dedication and enthusiasm... It has been no cakewalk. Raw talent, hardwork, determination and faith in one's self has resulted in taking an 8-year-old from a Hyderabadi 'gully' to where the grass is greener - the grand Maidans of football - and far beyond. Sporting India colours 100 times and more, Shabbir has netted 35 international goals. Concurrently dazzling on field and as coach to some clubs he played for - with acuity, common sense and sound judgement. Shabbir merits admiration, respect, plaudits from the football fraternity. Recognition from sports authorities is however, hitherto to come his way. An extraordinary career, that isn't deemed meritorious and appallingly, not been credited with a National Award. A recent nomination for the Dyanchand for lifetime achievement comes rather late in the day - will Shabbir (A FOOTBALLER - read 'Persona Non Grata' to deciders of sports awards) actually get it? Is common knowledge that Awards in India, are more often then not decided (usually in favor of anyone who can swing the willow) before they are declared!
Shabbir Ali's Story is factually a mirror, reflecting how football is viewed or rather IGNORED in India. The man certainly doesn't have the 'Hyderabad Blues'. Not one to lobby for awards either - as is the 'trend' today... He'd rather speak Football!

"Football is my language." Declares Shabbir Ali and can one dispute that? The football arena is his stage and it is that here he excels and delights. His performances are strongly etched in the history of Indian Football and he isn't done. YET! His contemporaries rate him amongst the finest Center-Forwards India has produced - fiercely focussed, exceptionally gifted and entertainer par excellence. Regarded as one of the finest Indian minds in coaching in the present day, Ali has PLAYED for, CAPTAINED and COACHED - India U-19, pre-Olympic U-23, and Senior Squads. Also functioned as Technical Director of the Indian contingent - Nehru Cup, Kolkata (1995) SAARC Gold Cup, Colombo, Srilanka (1995), VII South Asian Federation Games (SAF), Olympic Qualifiers in Pakistan, Oman and India, (1995), World Cup Qualifiers (1996), Asian Cup Qualifiers, Goodwill Tour Iraq-India (1996), World Cup Qualifiers (1996). A feat that that's hard to beat!

COACHING CREDENTIALS/ ASSIGNMENTS
Shabbir Ali has to his credit - Diploma In Football Coaching (Sports Authority of India 1988-89), Trainer B License - (German FA, Stuttgart, Germany 1990), German A Course (equivalent to trainer A license - Bonn, Germany 1994) Coaching Course by FIFA and Olympic Solidarity, (Bangalore 1996)
The Hyderabadi has coached numerous sides really beyond the scope of one article - some coaching highlights...
INDIA SENIOR SQUAD: Nehru Cup (March, 1995) SAARC Gold Cup, (April 1995, India-Runners Up), Bangladesh Tour (Aug. 1995), Belarus Tour (Sept. -1995), Olympic Qualifiers in Pakistan, Oman and Goa, (Oct -1995), SAF Games (Dec.1995, India winners), Asian Qualifiers, Malaysia, (March 1996), Goodwill Tour Of Iraq, (Aug. 1996), World Cup Qualifiers, Doha-Qatar. (Sep. 1996)
INSIDE INDIA: Shabbir has been in the coaches seat for: Bengal State Team (1997); Goa State Team (1999); Md.Sporting (1992-93); Rajasthan Club (1992-93); Peerless SC (1993-95); Salgaocar SC (1997-April 2000); Mahindra United (2000-01); Bhrathi Sangha (2001-02); Fransa FC (2002-sept 04); Churchill Brothers (Oct2004-Feb.05). Currently coaching Salgaocar SC, (since April 2005).

The Hyderabadi & former 'Salgaocarite' is in Goa for his 2nd stint as coach, Salgaocar SC. The first stint had him mastermind Salgaocar to stupendous victories in the Goa Professional League, National Football League, Durand Cup, Rovers Cup, & Super Cup. A feat, that placed both the coach and the club as front runners, in Indian Football. Can Shabbir recreate the magic? Weighty question...but no one can write him off! In a remarkable career spanning four decades, Shabbir Ali has had impressive seasons, brilliant victories, and his share of disappointments too. Noteworthy is the fact that, passion for and commitment to football remains undiminished.
This writer strongly recommends a meeting with Shabbir for anyone wanting to enhance their knowledge vis-a-vis football .Be it a sports journalist, football aficionado or youngsters keen on the game. On causerie with Shabbir, one departs, with sentient of receipt an instructional in football minus 'lectures'. It also drives home the point that, in humility... truly lies greatness.

INTERVIEW - SHABBIR SPEAK
His critics dub him 'temperamental, obstinate, maverick', his fans resolutely assert that he is a 'troubled genius'. Whichever side you choose to be on... Shabbir Ali is a name Indian Football simply cannot ignore. In a candid interview, Shabbir Ali speaks to Goan sports journalist Zena Costa on FOOTBALL... His rendezvous with a game he loves, career highlights, and matters paramount to football in India.

Putting Boot To Ball...
"I graduated from a gully to football fields of Hyderabad, aged 8. Hailing from a non-sporting setting... faced initial parental contention, but seeing my dedication for football they were encouraging and must credit them for their support henceforth. I represented Aliya High School (1967,68) & City High School (1969) in Subroto Cup and was part of the Andra Pradesh Schools Team that won the all India School Games in 1968-69". I debuted at club level, aged 10 Abbas Union FC, Darushifa Hyderabad, of which I'm President today".

India CAN Excel Via Collective Effort...
Excellence in football = collective effort. Each has a role to play. Management, coach and players need work in unison. Football Associations must implement grass root level & youth development training programs, better infrastructure & international exposure. Sports authorities/associations ought to take responsibility more seriously and be accountable too. Doing their job? Our world ranking has nose-dived to an all time low of 135. And your question? It is however unfair to put the onus on authorities alone. How many footballers are giving their best? India doesn't, hasn't ever lacked talent. Our sportspersons undoubtedly need to be positive, disciplined, dedicated & have self-belief. High time 'professional footballers' especially strikers, see football as a team game, not a one-man show! Football-loving public in turn must note- professional football is not just kicking ball! Truth be told, the life of a professional footballer is anything but a rose garden... Football is a team game-we need collective effort. Period".

Blowing the Whistle...
Refereeing in a high contact and competitive game is... hard work, difficult... at times a thankless job! Yes, the standard of refereeing in the country has come in for sharp criticism of late and like they say - there is no smoke without fire! There have been some unfair calls not only in the NFL, but in football matches all aver the world.
Foreign referees have proven to be more neutral... they also have 'big match temperament'. I invariably tell my wards that a referee's decision is final and must be respected. Indian refs however could do well to display more accountability and accuracy.

The 'Firang 'Factor...
I for one am of the opinion that both foreign players and coaches benefit Indian Football. Foreign recruits come from countries where the standard of football is very high. They are also extremely hard working. Indian boys playing with foreigners can surely raise their standards.
To take nothing away from Indian coaches. (Hey! I happen to be one, you know?) Let's face the fact these coaches are exposed to the best of football in the world. If India has fared poorly under a foreign coach, its because we do not have the means to hire the best in the business. The argument that foreign coaches can't communicate with us is baseless. Can a Tamilian speak Punjabi? Persuading Cheema Okerie to sign up for Md. Sporting certainly worked for me! We had (late) Ciric Milavon (Czechoslovakia) and Rustom Akramov (Uzbekistan) and they did a fine job. The language is Football!

Fransa-Churchill-Salgaocar: Shabbir's Triple Jump...
A first for me! I was with Fransa FC upto Sep'04. Churchill from October'04 to Feb'05 and joined Salgaocar in April'05.
A coach, must be trusted by the management and get the cooperation of the players do his job. At Fransa, there were serious differences between the management and coaching side - best left unsaid... these could not be resolved... it was futile for me to continue. I joined Churchill Brothers in Oct 2004. But due a serious health problem my wife was facing, I had take leave and needed at home longer than expected .It wasn't fair to the team in the midst of the NFL. They also had Ghanaian coach Janny Insuah who could take over. So I asked that they release me.
Whilst contradictory reports appeared in the media, I must set the record straight and stress that Churchill Alemao has cleared my contract money.

Watch These Guys...
Amongst the Indian boys, I would like name some that hold great promise for the near future, than those whose names are over hyped... Cresson Antao (Fransa FC), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Mehtab Hussain (Mohun Bagan) and Hakkim (SBT) could do really well if they continue to be dedicated. Among the foreign recruits Yakubu Yusif is one of the best to play here, a thinking footballer - leads the pack. Ranty Martins and Belo Razzaq also impress.

Another Dream Run For Shabbir-Salgaocar?
Why not? My plans for the season would definitely be to excel. I set high standards my wards, but even higher ones for myself. The one thing that works at Salgaocar - professionalism. Our manager Henry Britto is professional and a gentleman. There is a lot of support, but no interference in the coach's job. I'm aiming for overall improvement in the team. We need to recruit a few good players and work very hard. Let's see how it goes...

Clubbin'it...
"Whilst playing for any prime club is great, I would rate my 5 years with (now defunct) Tata Sports Club, Bombay as one of the best - the premier club then. It was at Tata's that I was spotted and selected for India Seniors. The highpoint is my stint at Md.Sporting - 7 eventful years. In 1983-84, I was captain and we won 9 premier tournaments - Federation Cup (Twice), Rovers Cup, St. Nagjie Cup, Peerless Cup, Nizam Gold Cup, etc. That will go down in memory as one of those years! Some cherished memories - Best Player Nizam Gold Cup. (1975,1984), Bandodkar Gold Cup (1977), Chakola Gold Cup (1977) Top Scorer Bombay Harwood League (1973,77), Top Scorer Calcutta League (1979,83), Rovers Cup (1975), Bordoloi Tourney (1978).

Junior goes International...
"Representing India, is something all sportsmen aspire. I am proud to have to have taken the Tricolor to the Victory Podium. I represented India in Asian Youth Soccer Tournament - Bangkok (1972), Teheran (1973), and Bangkok (1974). The '74 outing was unforgettable. I was captain, and we competed against sides like Iran, Thailand, and South Korea. India was joint-champions along with Iran. I top scored and was player of the tournament.

Shabbir's Senior Int. Highs...
I was part of the Indian senior squad for 10 years (1974-84). Was vice-Captain once, Captained five times, played more than 100 matches, scoring around 35 international goals. Of the many momentous events, one that stands out is Merdeka Football Tournament, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (1981). Possibly my best as India Captain... We beat United Arab Emirates, drew with New Zealand and lost in a fiercely contested semifinal to Sao Paulo, Brazil. The same Brazilian side that toured India in 1983 to play 'Super Soccer'. I am also proud of top scoring for the Indian team each year, during my decade long tenure as senior international.

"Shabbir Ali is a gentleman, an able and astute coach. A coach's job is to keep both the management and players happy and produce results. I must say that Shabbir has managed to do that just fine," says Henry Britto, Salgaocar manager. Goans can look forward to an eventful SHABBIR-SALGAOCAR season. Of ups &downs, trials & triumphs. How will Shabbir Ali fare henceforth? The toughest questions for Shabbir are perhaps the ones he puts to himself when he fails to meet the high standards he sets. With this man on the bench, Salgaocar SC may have some tough moments, anxious ones and in all probability many victorious ones. But no dull ones! Apart from technical and tactical expertise & huge reservoir of experience, one must keenly observe Shabbir's modus operandi when he prepares himself and his wards for a match. To the perceptive eye, it is evident that Coach Shabbir keeps his wards mentally attuned, banishing negativity and encouraging them to play football as it should be - Play hard and have a ball too! The very approach, that throws much light on his own success.

In the voyage of discovery that Indian Football is, Shabbir Ali has all the constituents to conquer greater frontiers. Accomplishments and fame aside, Shabbir Ali is remains refreshingly grounded and a complete realist. Straightforward and no nonsense. What you see, is what you get... no fuss and frills! Extremely approachable and pragmatically aware of his competence; he is eager to impart knowledge to anyone drawn to football.
As a brilliant centre forward, he kept us enthralled and on the edge of our seats. As coach, the 'Shabbir Ali Story' only promises to get better... With time the man has - sans forfeiting sharp focus, learnt to relax during a match, to enjoy the football and life itself. If dubbed genius, 'troubled' or otherwise... there is a lot of wisdom in the adage...Genius is 1-% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
A sport called football was more than a 'game' to an 8-year-old Hyderabadi kid. Edged on by a passion called football, and driven by a hunger to excel and score those goals saw Shabbir go from boy to man concurrently perspiring and persevering, to take him to where he is today. Without a doubt, Indian football has gained considerably and is enriched, because at the tender age of 8,Shabbir Ali made the choice of taking to the football field and still perseveres to keep football alive and kicking.