Syed Abdul Rahim: The Unsung ‘Dronacharya’ of Indian Football Played By Ajay Devgn in Bollywood Sports Drama 'Maidaan'

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Maidaan is a biographical sports drama set in the golden era of Indian football, inspired by the life of the legendary Indian football coach Syed Abdul Rahim. The release date is scheduled for April 10, 2024 (Wednesday).

Produced by Boney Kapoor, the film sees Ajay Devgn essaying the role of Indian football icon. The film is written and directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma.

Who was Syed Abdul Rahim?

The protagonist of the movie Syed Abdul Rahim was an Indian football coach and manager of the Indian national team. His tenure as a coach is often regarded as the 'Golden age’ of football in India.

The Indian football doyen was born on the 17th of August, 1909 in Hyderabad British India. In his youth, he represented Osmania University as a player and later chose teaching as his main profession.

For a brief period, he was a professional player and represented Qamar Club, the best club of that time in Hyderabad football. Later he played for HSV Hoek in the Netherlands before becoming a manager.

Syed Abdul Rahim Career As Team Manager

Rahim started his managerial career at Hyderabad City Police Club and won Rovers Cup consecutively five times. He also won the Durand Cup three times. Later he managed the Hyderabad Football Team in the Santosh Trophy (back then known as Senior National Championship) and two titles back to back from 1956-58.

Melbourne Olympics Semi-Finals & Gold Medals At Asian Games For India

In 1950, he was appointed as the manager of the India National Football Team. One year later, in the inaugural Asian Games held in New Delhi, his team emerged victorious and won the gold medal by defeating Iran 1-0.

In 1956, Rahim led India to the semi-finals of the Melbourne Olympics, which is still considered the greatest achievement in Indian football history. His last successful tour as the team's manager was during the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, where India won the gold medal again by defeating South Korea 2-0.

Rahim introduced 4-4-2 formation in football

Rahim is considered the greatest coach India has ever produced. He introduced the classic 4-4-2 formation in Indian football much before Brazil popularised it in the 1958 World Cup.

He managed the India National Team until his death from cancer in 1963. Often regarded as the 'Architect of Modern Indian Football’, Rahim took Indian football to such a height that the team was called the 'Brazil of Asia'. Now, as the movie Maidaan brings out the name of this maestro in the limelight again it is hoped he will not be forgotten again with time.