Hafiz Rashid

Hafiz Rashid, commonly known as Rashid Sr., was a footballer who played as a striker, and manager. He is regarded as one of the most prominent players of Kolkata Mohammedan during the 1930s and 1940s. After the partition of India in 1947, Rashid settled in Pakistan where he was awarded Pride of Performance in 1962. He also served as head coach of the Pakistan national youth team the same year.

Early life Rashid hailed from Nasirabad, Ajmer in Rajasthan.

Club career Rashid began his career with Youngmen Club of Delhi. Rashid switched his position as centre forward and then a crucial role for the promotion of Kolkata Mohammedan from the second division to first division in 1933, scoring 53 goals.

On 17 June 1936, during a match against the English Military Attached section team at the Mohun Bagan Ground, he fractured his right leg, however, he would return the next season, and continued playing for the club until 1947. In 1940, he helped the team win the historic 1940 Durand Cup final over Royal Warwickshire Regiment, contributing to Kolkata Mohammedan becoming the first ever Indian club to win the final of the Durand Cup. He also featured at the IFA Shield.

In 1942, Rashid, along with a few fellow teammates of Mohammedan Sporting were loaned to Bata SC for their participation in the Rovers Cup that year. Players like Noor Mohammed Jr., Taher, Sirajuddin, Saboo joined the team, that year, the team managed to reach the final of the tournament. Winning the final match 3–1 against Bombay Champions, W.I.A.A. Staff.

In 1954, he represented Ispahani Club in the Dhaka First Division Football League.

International career In 1933, he represented India XI against European XI. He also had a coaching stint at Dhaka Mohammedan alongside Mohammad Shahjahan and Abbaz Mirza in the mid-1950s, helping the club win its inaugural First Division league title in 1957.

In 1962, Rashid served as head coach of the Pakistan national youth team for the 1962 AFC Youth Championship. He was also a member of the Pakistan Sports Control Board as chief coach.

Later in 1968, he supervised the Dacca University football team alongside Mohammed Rahmatullah, for their participation in the Independence Day Football Tournament.

Personal life and death After the partition of India in 1947, Rashid settled in Dhaka, East Pakistan.

He later spent the last years of his life in Karachi.

Honours Mohammedan Sporting Calcutta Football League: Winners (7): 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1940, 1941 Durand Cup: Winners (1): 1940 IFA Shield: Winners (3): 1936, 1941, 1942

Bata SC Rovers Cup: Winners (1): 1942

Individual Presidential Pride of Performance: Awarded (1): 1962 (by the Government of Bangladesh)