Hyderabad Football Legend Shabbir Ali Invited to Durand Trophy Ceremony by President

Former India football captain Shabbir Ali from Hyderabad has been invited as a guest of honour for the Durand Trophy flag-off and unveiling ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

The prestigious event, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, will be hosted by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

Shabbir Ali, widely regarded as one of the finest footballers to emerge from Hyderabad, was selected for this honor as one of the former national captains who previously led their respective teams in the historic Durand Cup tournament. The veteran sportsman was a mainstay of the Indian national team, serving as a first-choice player for a span of 12 years between 1972 and 1984.

Expressing his gratitude for the invitation, the 70-year-old Shabbir Ali described the opportunity as a deeply proud moment that brought back memories of what is widely considered the golden era of Indian football. He shared his thoughts on the significance of the upcoming ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

"It is always great to be at such an event, which rekindles our memories. Those were the days when football was played with sheer passion and great skill," Shabbir Ali said. He further added that it is a huge honour to be part of the ceremony, as it provides the players of yesteryears with a special chance to go down memory lane.

In addition to Shabbir Ali, another prominent footballer from Hyderabad, Victor Amalraj, was also invited to attend the high-profile ceremony in the national capital. However, Amalraj will not be able to participate in the event due to ongoing health issues within his family.