People of Bidar have special love for the game of football.

This sport became popular in the region after the memorable tournament organised 65 years ago in Hyderabad.

A team of local lads defeated the British officers serving in the Hyderabad Nizam’s army in that hard-fought match.

The player who scored the match winning goal was a 17-year-old lad from Bidar.

Nazeer Ahmed Khan of Siddi Taleem in Bidar was a self-taught footballer. He used to watch soldiers play football and serve as their assistant during the game.

He soon developed a passion for the game and joined Bidar Sporting Club.

His club used to participate in the matches across the Nizam’s Kingdom and organise tournaments in Bidar.

The erstwhile Nizam’s State spread across parts of today’s Hyderabad-Karnataka, Marathwada and Telangana.

British officers in the Nizam’s infantry used to play football with teams of youths from across the Nizam’s State.

Khan became a hero in one such tournament. The all-important tournament in Hyderabad was held in 1946 in which a team of British officers played the local lads who had grouped themselves under City Club.

“The Diwan, who was watching the match, came down the pavilion and hugged Khan, who instantly developed a fan following in Hyderabad. When Khan returned to Bidar, the District Collector gave a rousing welcome and organised a civic reception in his honour near the old mosque,” says Liaqat Ali Khan, chronicler of Bidar’s history.

“Khan continued to play for Bidri Sporting Club. He also played some matches for Mohammaden Sporting Club of Kolkata.

“He died in 2007. As long as he lived, he inspired footballers in Bidar and Hyderabad,” he said.

source:  http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Rishikesh Bahadur Desai / Bidar – August 04th, 2010