Remembering Indian Football's Forgotten Hero: Md Salim

Mohammed Salim was born in Metiaburuz, a lower-middle-class locality in Calcutta in 1904. Not an attentive student, he invested all his energy in football from a tender age. It was his skill alone that allowed him to join the Chittaranjan Club in Central Calcutta at a time when communal identity was turning out to be the prime consideration of entry into clubs. After a couple of years at Chittaranjan, he joined the Bowbazar Club. His new club, managed by a group of educated Bengali middle-class patrons, instilled in Salim the fervent desire to beat the European in his game.

Having learnt the basics at Bowbazar, Salim proceeded to join the ‘B’ team of the Mohammedan Sporting Club. His first stint with Mohammedan Sporting was short. Attracted by Salim’s exceptional talent, Pankaj Gupta co-opted him to play for his club, Sporting Union. After a couple of seasons with Sporting Union, Salim moved to the Aryans Club (1932-33) and finally joined the senior team of the Mohammedan Sporting Club in 1934. In his years at the club, Mohammedan Sporting achieved unparalleled success in the history of football in colonial India, winning the coveted Calcutta Football League title five times in a row (1934-38). Salim won himself thousands of followers with his imperious ball control, dribbling, correct passes and lobs. Football fans relished watching his passes. He had an uncanny through pass that rendered any defense line helpless.

The Chinese Olympic team visited Calcutta in 1937 to play a couple of exhibition matches against IFA teams.Being the first set of international football matches played in Calcutta/India, they generated excitement amongst the people. Salim was picked to represent the IFA team for both the matches. He did so with distinction in the first match, evident from the reports published in the Amrita Bazar Patrika then.

Before the second match against the Chinese, Salim disappeared. The police failed to locate him. The organisers published advertisements asking him to join the Civil and Military XI immediately. The efforts went up in smoke as Salim had left his country by then. He was travelling to Scotland, persuaded by his brother Hasheem to try his luck in European football.

After a few days in London, Hasheem took him to Glasgow where he contacted Celtic. Salim was surprised to note that all Celtic players were professionals. However, when asked whether he would be able to compete with them, he said yes. Salim’s fortitude encouraged Hasheem to ask Willie Maley, the Celtic manager: ‘A great player from India has come by ship. Will you please take a trial of his? But there is a slight problem. Salim plays in bare feet.’