Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi is an Indian citizen now staying in Oman, has one earnest desire at the grand age of 90, which is to be recognized by the Government of India for his contribution to the sport of hockey. That will be his Kohinoor among International recognition. It is to be seen if India can fulfill this dream.
A 90-year-old man can expect so much from his country, that his identity can be recognized by his country. It is his love for his country that he desires for his country to become his identity.
An Open letter to the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi from Dr. Manju Dagar, International Journalist, Ireland
Respected Prime Minister I am an international journalist Dr. Manju Dagar work, in India. I am writing to you because as an Indian I feel Our government needs to consider and Recognized Shri Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi’s contribution towards the sports field, especially for Hockey which is our National Game. The first phase of his contribution to the sports field in India -1947 to 1982 and the second phase of career is in the Sultanate of Oman – 1982 to 2020. 2018, He had the rare honor to establish a Sports Museum as he had the collection of more than 75 years in sports from India and Oman especially the Olympics, Asian Games, and other international hockey tournaments. The inauguration ceremony was performed by HE Dr. Hammad Hamed Al Ghafri on 15th October 2018 in the presence of top sports personalizes.
‘A man is as old as he feels.’ Dynamic old people always feel young. Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi Sir, even in his nineties, is still active for the cause of sports. His favorite Quotes is – Honesty and hard work and devotion to responsibilities pay in life but unfortunately, MY INDIAN GOVERNMENT IS NOT ABLE TO recognize HIS MAGNIFICENT CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS SPORTS ACTIVITIES SPECIALLY IN HOCKEY FIELD WHICH IS NATIONAL GAME OF INDIA. IN FACT, HE IS LIVING LEGEND FOR INDIA AS WELL AS FOR SULTANATE OF OMAN.
As an Indian, I feel proud of his success because he has flown the tricolor ( TIRANGA FLAG ) of success in both India and Oman.
Here is some brief about him — Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi, or SAS Naqvi as he is more commonly known, was the coach of the Indian hockey team (men) in 1973 and 1975, coach of the Indian hockey team (women) in 1978 and 1979, national hockey coach of Oman in 1982, and Technical Adviser of the Oman Olympic Committee for 18 years from 1984 to 2002. In fact, it was he who established the Oman Olympic Committee and designed the blueprint for the development of sport in the Sultanate of Oman in 1983. He has the rare distinction of representing Oman at all sports-related meetings and seminars at the international and Olympic levels. 2018, Asian Champion Trophy was held in Muscat from October. Captain Talib Khamis al Wahaibi, Chairman of Oman Hockey Association had visited his museum and honored him a special memento for his contribution for the past 38 years to develop hockey in the Sultanate of Oman.
Awards –
- From his many major achievements, one is participation in five Olympic and seven Asian Games.
- 2000 Olympic Games at Sydney a rare honor was bestowed on SAS Naqvi by the organizing Committee and they had issued two commemorative postal stamps one for Sydney Olympic Games and second for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
- On the personal side, his services were recognized by the Government of the Sultanate of Oman. He was honored with the prestigious “Lifetime achievement award”. The award had been presented by the sports Minister H.E. Dr. Ali Bin Masoud Ali Al Sunaidy which had the concurrence of H.M. Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in 2011 at the Bustan Palace Hotel.
- 2007, a documentary film on my life was produced by two great journalists, Mr. Mohandoss, the sports editor, Times of Oman, and Mr. Ashok Purohit of the sports editor, Muscat daily, in coordination with Oman Hockey Association.
- He is a three-time recipient of the Indo-Oman Friendship Sports Award in 2010 and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Sultanate of Oman in 2011.
- 2018 Dato Sree Tayyab Ikram, the CEO Asian Hockey Federation had especially honored his as the ‘ Veteran Hockey Coach ‘ who had brought hockey in the desert, and many more National and International awards is in his basket.
Awards from India
- He was honored by various organizations of India for my contribution to two countries India and Oman.
- 2012, the journalist federation of India had awarded me “Lifetime Achievement” to recognize my service at new Delhi India, the award was presented by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Govt. of India Shri Rajiv Shukla.
- 2012, the Press Trust of Punjab India representative had flown from Chandigarh Dr. Manju Chaudhary to present the award in Muscat on 28-12-2012, and, interviewed for RU-B-RU TV channel of Chandigarh.
- 2014, Rajiv Gandhi Award – New Delhi by Ramprakash Verma, Chief editor, Times-News India, and Seemapuri Times.
Interview –
During 2013 I was lucky to visit Oman to cover his interview for my show pal-do-pal which was very popular in north India.
When I walked into his flat in a relatively quiet part of Ruwi, I was amazed. Framed photos, certificates, souvenirs, and awards filled my vision wherever I looked. By the time 82-year-old Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi had narrated his story, however, it all made sense. After all, he had a major role in setting up the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) and served as its technical adviser for more than 20 years and later as a consultant.
Before we started the interview, Naqvi Sir gave me a guided tour of his flat, explaining the stories and anecdotes behind the mementos that adorned his walls, documenting his achievements over the years. The photos showed several phases of Naqvi’s life, from his hockey-playing days and his coaching career to his roles as both an adviser and a family man and more. From 1949 to 1973, Naqvi played for numerous teams within India and represented his country in an Indian XI in a test series against several countries.
In the end, I just want to say to Indian Government Shri Saiyed Ali Naqvi Ji is one of the survivors of ‘ Golden Era of Indian Hockey ‘ He has the greatest honor to play with Dada Dhyanchand, Dada Kishan Lal, K.D.Singh Babu, and Balbir Singh Senior.
In the end, I would just like to say that my Government of India, should salute their work before it is delayed. This hockey great is the epitome of hard work and honesty. He is revered, remembered, and rewarded in both India and Oman.
Thanking you
Manju Dagar, International Journalist, Ireland
