Even as India rejoices in the success of many of its stars in a wide range of sports, the family of one of India’s greatest athletics coaches is planning to sell a prestigious award to help cope to difficult circumstances.

In 1978, Mohammad Ilyas Babar was awarded the “Adidas Golden Boot” for being named Asia’s best coach by a panel of international experts. Babar died aged 76 in 2002, having produced some of India’s finest athletes, including two Padma Shri Laureates and five Arjuna Laureates, and winning 17 gold medals at the Asian Games and Asian Championships. Athletics.

Here in the back streets of Toli Chowk, his family is now considering whether to sell the ‘Adidas Golden Boot’.

The life of Ilyas Babar, who received the Dronacharya award in 1994, has been a struggle and now his family is facing similar hardships due to lack of state and central government support.

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“Well, what else can we do?” We are tired of virtually begging for financial aid since 2006. We have been running from pillar to post to meet high state government officials for financial aid and also look for a site for a house,” Mumtaz Ilyas asked , the wife of Babar.

“What more could you ask from Babar saab done to make his surviving family members deserve more? ” she asked.

“It definitely hurts. But what to do.”

‘Indifference’

Mumtaz, his four sons – two unemployed and two working in the private sector – and his four daughters are helped by former national athlete Syed Khaiser, who also trained with Ilyas Babar. Mumtaz appealed fervently to the Chief Minister of Telangana, K. Chandrasekhara Rao, to help his family.

“This kind of indifference was not expected for the family of a beloved coach who has sacrificed so much for the success of his wards. We live in a rented house even now. We don’t fear modern day champions get all the accolades and incentives. But is it fair to forget those who have struggled when national pride has taken precedence over everything else? she asked.

“The way we had to run around for help makes us wonder if Babar saab was right to give his all during his prime for Indian athletics,” Khaiser said before signing.