Dubai: Inam-Ur Rehman, former hockey Olympian from India, felt there is no dearth of talent in the UAE in terms of hockey. “There are skilled players here and everyone should strive hard to place UAE as a top hockey playing nation like India and Pakistan,” he said during a visit here at an exhibition match held in his honour.
The match between UEHC (United Emirates Hockey Club) and Inam-ur Rehman XI ended in an exciting 2-2 draw. Some of the most experienced players in the UAE like P.K. Biju, Kabir Khan, Vivek Picardo, Pandirajan Arumugam, Karan Preet Singh and UAE national team captain Ahmad Al Sayegh played in the match.
In first half, Vivek scored for Inam-Ur Rehman XI, while Abdul Waheed and M. Ayaz scored one goal each to give UAEHC the lead. In the last five minutes of the game, Dubai Hockey Centre and UAE school hockey team coach Kabir Khan gave a telling pass to Aqeel Ahmad and Mohammad Ameen scored the goal to ensure Inam Ur Reham XI equalise and end the match level at 2-2.
Speaking to Gulf News, Kabir Khan, who is grooming youngsters for the game, said: “We need more such closely contested matches to boost hockey [here]. We also need water-based astro-turf grounds where children can come and play regularly and prepare for international contests.”
Incidentally, Al Sayegh who played in the match was coached by former Indian hockey star M.M. Somaya and Rehman on his part had groomed Somaya into a top class player.
The match was supervised by Farooq Qureshi and Safdar Cheema and the tie was supported by Abid Akhtar from ABR Digital Web Page.
Rehman, a medallist in 1968 Olympics, received a plaque from Al Sayegh in the presence of Raza Abidi, coordinator of UAE Hockey Federation, and experienced players such as Safdar Cheema, Arshad Nazeer, Sohail Butt and Abid Shareif.
“My first big tournament was the senior national championship in 1958 at Hyderabad for All India Schools and my last match was in 1976 Indian Olympic team versus Rest of Indian XI. It was an enjoyable 18 years of hockey,” reminisced Rehman. He scored more than 200 goals in international matches and over 500 goals in national matches.
“We will try and fly in more legends to inspire youngsters through their presence and play intense hockey in front of them,” said coach Kabir Khan.
