From left: Yousuf Al Bilali, Hamad Al Arsg, Consul General of UAE Ahmad Mangoosh, football legend of India Mohammed Habib and Hussam Al Kahtani, chairman of Al Kahtani Group of Companies at the felicitation ceremony. — Courtesy photo Saudi Gazette report
JEDDAH — Former Olympian and Arjuna awardee, Mohammed Habib, an Indian football legend of the 70s, was felicitated by top businessmen at the Al-Fouzan & Al-Muhaidib Diwaniya at Sari Street here Saturday. Habib, a former Indian captain and recently an AIFF technical committee member and observer of Indian football, has done yeoman service for the game and was praised and appreciated at the well-attended function by Saudis. Khalid A. Al Fozan, chairman of Al Fozan Building Materials Company, Emad A. Al-Muhaidib, vice chairman of Al Muhaidib Group of Companies, and Hussam Al Kahtani, chairman of Al Kahtani Group of Companies, Jeddah were at hand in the felicitation function. Al Kahtani, praised the contribution of Habib and introduced him to the gathering. “The football loving citizens of Saudi Arabia are really delighted to have Habib among them.” Introducing Habib, Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, general secretary of Indian Youth Welfare Association (IYWA) and ex-Indian player, highlighted Habib's mastery on the field and praised his endurance. He relayed the numerous accolades Habib won during his playing career, while relating the incident that earned him kudos from the great Pele himself. During the Cosmos-Mohun Bagan encounter in Kolkata in 1977, the great Pele singled out Habib for praise by saying, “It was a privilege to play with one so gifted in the game” and honored him with the tag of Indian Pele. Zaki said that though Habib is on a private visit to the Kingdom he, however, would give tips, advice and conduct football clinics for young players and coaches. This week Habib will visit Indian International School Jeddah (IISJ) and IYWA Football Academy to train young footballers and provide tips to the coaches of these academies; next week he will visit Jeddah Sports Club Football Academy and Indian Fraternity Forum Football Academy. Habib, who is available in Jeddah until May 13, said: “It was the will of Allah that people thought him worthy of these accolades. I'm just a humble person like all of you. But I can tell you that along with God's blessings hard work and a will to succeed in the world's greatest game is all you need to achieve your goals.” Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Khalid A. Al Fozan said that India and Saudi Arabia have a long history of cultural, business and brotherly relations. He said the Indian culture and people have a special place in the hearts and mind of Saudi community. He enjoyed the company of the football legend of India and said that it was indeed a pleasure to be with such an honored guest. Prominent dignitaries — Consul General of Bahrain Ibrahim Maslamani, Consul General of Qatar Khamis Bin Ibrahim Al Mohannadi, Consul General of Oman Juma Al Rashdi and Consul General of UAE Ahmad Mangoosh and Consul General of Kuwait Saleh Ali Al-Saqabi — also attended the felicitation function. A large number of Saudi business community members and eminent social figures along with representatives of IYWA, A.P. Youth Welfare Association, Hyderabad Young Men's Association and Telugu Academy were also present. Earlier Hamaed Al Arsg, manager of Al-Fouzan & Al-Muhaidib Diwaniya, welcomed the gathering and Yousuf Al Bilali proposed a vote of thanks.
