Talk about the 1975 World Cup and the image of Aslam Sher Khan pops up. A hero of India’s only triumph at hockey’s ultimate event used to bewilder opponents with sudden goals and catch them unawares with surprise moves.
The player-turned-politician now appears to play the same role even today. And he still bears the traits of pulling off the unexpected.
Only a few months ago Aslam announced that he is ready to contest the president’s post of the Indian National Congress and the news was flashed by television channels.
Also learned is that he has filed a case against Hockey India. (We tried in vain to contact him on phone today). Since the matter is sub-judice, I am not dwelling on the merits or demerits of the case. Not even its timing.
This piece is worthwhile even if he has not filed a case against the country’s governing body for hockey.
Aslam Sher Khan is no ordinary person. He is a celebrated and most decorated former player.
He shone and earned fame in an era when hockey players were truly poor and lacked creature comforts in their entire career. Those were also times during which an owner of a motor driven two-wheeler was considered super rich.
It was during those times that Aslam gained from fame in the game, going on to own petrol stations, as governments presented him for his World Cup feat!
He sustained his golden touch post-retirement from hockey. Contested elections and even won a seat as Member of Parliament. Aslam went on to become Minister of State in the all-powerful Prime Minister’s Office in Narasimha Rao’s cabinet. Despite wielding so much power did the author of ‘To Hell With Hockey’ do anything for the game?
A chronicler like me still wonders why he didn’t do anything beneficial for hockey?
He was elected chairman of the selection committee in 2008 when the then Indian Olympic Association disbanded the Indian Hockey Federation. Under him was 1975 World Cup captain Ajit Pal Singh and match-winning goal scorer in the final Ashok Kumar!!
He was in the news for sure, but what did he do in that spell?
My question to the double-Olympian and twice Member of Parliament Aslam Sher Khan is simple: What did you do for hockey when you had power?
I will be happy if he says “I started a hockey academy, I got such and such player’s government grant, fought for getting Dhyan Chand the Bharat Ratna, provided a stipend to a hockey player or players”….any aspect that concerns Indian hockey.
Hockey is honoured to have Aslam whose father was also an Olympic hockey player. Aslam is a well known face among older fans. He is scholarly, has the gift of the gab, has been a successful politician and possesses leadership qualities.
But Sir, did you use any of these virtues for the development of hockey?
Note: We tried many times today to contact Aslam Sher Khan. The calls were not received.