Syed Abdul Rahim (1909-1963) Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Football Coach
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	17/08/1909
Age	53 years (died on 11, Jun, 1963)
Birthplace	Hyderabad, India
Date of Death	11/06/1963

Latest News about Syed Abdul Rahim

01/01/2025

The Bollywood film 'Maidaan', starring Ajay Devgn as Syed Abdul Rahim, was released in early 2025, bringing renewed global attention to the legendary Indian football coach's life and achievements. The movie chronicles Rahim's journey from a school teacher to the architect of modern Indian football, highlighting his role in leading India to the semi-finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and his management of the national team from 1950 to 1963.

Do you like Syed Abdul Rahim?

You can vote only once.

Bio/Wiki

Other name	SA Rahim
Nicknames	Rahim Saab The Architect of Modern Indian Football The Sleeping Giant The Stan Cullis of India The Indian Ferguson
Famous For	Coaching the Indian team to the semi-finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Football Tournament

Educational Qualification(s)

College/University	Osmania University, India
Educational Qualification	Graduate

Personal Life

Place of Death	Hyderabad
Religion	Islam
Food Habit	Non-Vegetarian

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Married

Family

Wife	Saira Rahim
Children	Syed Shahid Hakim (former football player, FIFA official, Squadron Leader in IAF died on 22 August 2021) S. S. Saleem Tameez S. S. Waseem (Footballer, died on 26 May 2020) Aziz Jehan Jehan Perwaiz Jehan Syeda Sadia (SS Hakim's wife Politician) Madiha Raza (SS Hakim's daughter) Fazeel Zardi (Manager of Operations at Tata Consultancy Services)

Career

Highlights	Coached Indian team to win gold at 1951 Asian Games Changed Indian team's formation to 'W-formation' Coached Indian team to 4th place finish at 1956 Melbourne Olympics Won Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament in 1952 (Colombo) and 1954 (Calcutta) Runners-up in Pestabola Merdeka in 1959 (Kuala Lumpur) Coached Hyderabad City Police to five consecutive Rovers Cups (1950-1955) and four Durand Cups Coached Indian team to gold at 1962 Asian Games Manager of India national football team from 1950 to 1963 Manager of Hyderabad City Police team from 1943 to 1950 Introduced the 4-2-4 formation during the 1962 Asian Games

Highlights

Coached Indian team to win gold at 1951 Asian Games
Changed Indian team's formation to 'W-formation'
Coached Indian team to 4th place finish at 1956 Melbourne Olympics
Won Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament in 1952 (Colombo) and 1954 (Calcutta)
Runners-up in Pestabola Merdeka in 1959 (Kuala Lumpur)
Coached Hyderabad City Police to five consecutive Rovers Cups (1950-1955) and four Durand Cups
Coached Indian team to gold at 1962 Asian Games
Manager of India national football team from 1950 to 1963
Manager of Hyderabad City Police team from 1943 to 1950
Introduced the 4-2-4 formation during the 1962 Asian Games

Favourites

Favourite Football Team	Hungary
Favourite Football Players	Gusztáv Sebes Robert Andrew Fruval

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Rahim developed a passion for sports at a young age.
2. He excelled as a football player during his school years.
3. He competed for the Osmania University football team.
4. Rahim was known for introducing a passing-focused style of play.
5. He played a key role in leading the HCP team to numerous victories.
6. One of the founding members of Hyderabad Football Association (HFA) in 1939.
7. Elected secretary of HFA in 1943.
8. Played as a forward in his early days.
9. Succeeded Norbert Andrew Fruvall as coach of the Indian national team.
10. Died of lung cancer after being bed-ridden for six months.
11. Under his coaching, India earned the nickname 'Brazil of Asia'.

Syed Abdul Rahim Football Coach Indian Hyderabad, India