Indian Express: Narendra Modi pays tribute to hockey legend Mohammed Shahid

PM Narendra Modi paid his tribute to Mohammed Shahid on Twitter after the hockey Olympian passed away on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to hockey legend Mohammed Shahid who passed away on Wednesday morning in Gurgaon after slipping into coma the night before.

Shahid had been battling with poor health for some time after a bout of jaundice wasn’t properly treated and he was airlifted to Delhi from Varanasi to get better health.

The 1980 Moscow Olympics gold medallist Shahid is known for his brilliant dribbling skills – something that found the praise of PM Modi as well.

PM’s twitter read:

“In the untimely & unfortunate demise of Mohammed Shahid, India has lost a talented sportsman who played with immense passion & vigour.”

“We tried our level best to save Mohammed Shahid but sadly, neither our help nor prayers were enough to save him. Tributes to him. RIP.”

Modi was asked to intervene by former India captain Dhanraj Pillay after Shahid’s health showed no signs of improving and financial aid became a concern.

Then Sports Ministry stepped in with medical support of Rs 10 lakh and his employers Railways agreeing to foot the medical bill as well.

But, in the end, Shahid couldn’t escape the web of medical wires when he could beat numerous bodies with ease on the hockey pitch.