Sayed Jaffar (field hockey)
Syed Mohammad Jaffar, Standing, 2nd from right side. (Group photo of Indian Hockey Team - 1936 Berlin Olympics.)
Sayed Mohammad Jaffar Shah (1911 – March 21, 1937) was an Indian field hockey player who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics and 1936 Summer Olympics.
Early Life and education
He was born in Shergarh, District Montgomery, British India (now in Punjab, Pakistan). Jaffar received his education at the Aitchison College, Lahore and the Government College Lahore. A hockey pavilion was constructed at Aitchison College in 1939 as a tribute to the memory of Jaffar and his services to hockey in India.
Playing career
In 1932 he was a member of the Indian field hockey team, which won the gold medal. He played two matches as forward.
Four years later he was again a member of the Indian field hockey team, which won the gold medal. He played five matches as forward.
Death
He died as a result of a shooting accident near Lahore in 1937.
The inscription on the grave stone reads
"Syed Mohammad Jaffar Shah Kirmani son of Syed Nawazish Hussain Shah Kirmani"
"Date of Birth December, 1911. Date of Death March 1937"
"(Late) Syed Mohammad Jaffar was a great player of Hockey, who was selected for 1928 olympics to represent Indian Hockey team, but could not participate due to his youth. He was part of the team which won the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. He was considered one of the best players in the world on the position of "Left-Out", although he was one of the youngest. He participated in 1936 tournament as vice captain - and decided not to be a candidate for captaincy in favour of Dhayan Chand. He was not only a brilliant sportsman and a great representative of the country, he was also an examplary figure.On a fateful evening in 1938, while on an hunting expedition on river ravi, he tragically gave his life away to the river. He was survived by a huge fan following."
"Grave stone laid down by Syed Javed Hassan son of (Late) Syed Mohammad Hassan"
External links
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