Celebrating Heroes of Hyderabad

​Hyderabad: In the 1956 Olympics, the Indian football team boasted of nine Hyderabad players in its rank while in the next edition of the Summer Games six formed the team’s backbone. Such an exalted situation remains Indian football’s finest hour. 

The standards of Hyderabad football may have eroded over the years but it is a good augury that some promoters are coming forward to revive past glory by way of attracting young talent with myriad happening platforms. This can get further impetus if sponsors jump onto the bandwagon.

Those were the pearls of wisdom from former India captain Victor Amalraj after unveiling ‘City of Heroes’ logo as a run-up to the grandiosely planned initiative that will be held here on September 15.

He showered lavish praises on Kailash Nath Yadav, who, as the Managing Director of Ethic Sports Foundation, was bringing together the city’s finest sportspersons spread over generations under one roof.   
  
City of Heroes is a unique initiative being hosted by Ethic Sports Foundation in association with Sports Authority of India (SAI), Olympic Association of Telangana (OAT) and Federation of Telangana & Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry.

Although outstanding athletes from Hyderabad from several disciplines will be present on the occasion, the ensuing event is themed around the city’s contribution to the beautiful game.

In keeping with this spirit, the programme will revive memories of the master tactician Rahim Saab, whose coaching standards and no-nonsense approach earned him, and India subsequently, global fame and remained so between 1950 and 1962, which is generally perceived as the Golden Era of Indian football.

Kailash Nath Yadav stated that next on the agenda for the Foundation was an inter-school football tournament. He said that if Good Samaritans come up with generous financial contributions, the Foundation would go all-out to support old, ailing and impoverished sportspersons who are in dire need of medical assistance. Star kabaddi player Mangala Desai appreciated the organisers for giving due credit to women achievers and for including iconic personalities from several disciplines.