Olympian and one of the finest footballers from India, M.D. Zulfiqaruddin passed away here on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness. He was 83.
Zulfiqar started his career with Hyderabad Sporting Club in 1954 before joining the Police Department and honed his skills under the tutelage of the renowned coach late S.A. Rahim.
Zulfiqar was also captain of the then united Andhra Pradesh team for 12 years from 1955 and consistent performances in domestic tournaments saw him picked for the Indian team to feature in the Merdeka tournament in Malaysia and then in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. He also represented India in the 1958 Asian Games.
He was the baby of that Olympic squad at 19 and was well known for his trapping, turning and shooting from acute angles, according to former India captain Victor Amalraj.
Zulfiqar led from the front for the State team when it clinched some of the major events like the Santosh Trophy, Durand and the Rovers Cups between 1957-63.
Former Asian Games gold medallist D.M.K. Afzal, former Olympian and son of coach Rahim, S.A. Hakeem, Telangana Football Association president Dr. Mohd Rafat Ali, secretary G. Palguna, Amalraj, Mohd. Akbar and Mohd. Habib, former AP Football Association secretary Prof. K. Ranga Rao and former Sports Authority coach and national player Aleem Khan were among those who expressed condolences to the bereaved family members.