| Samiullah - Permanent Place in the sun |
| Written by English NewsPaper/Dawn/Others | |||
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Those of the younger generation who had heard their elders speak often of what good pre-partition hockey was all about, found their spirits lifting when these grizzled old-timers, spellbound by the darting Samiullah, acknowledged that— yes, it was still possible for the old magic to come alive. Whenever there was a field move by Samiullah and his front line, one could see clock-work precision and understanding between them. It was as if all of them were wired to each other by some invisible and intangible bond, as if they could read each other's minds.
An example of such teamwork, exhibited'twice in the match against Australia on November 24, 1978, will suffice to drive the point home. Playing from the corner on his side, Samiullah pushed the ball slowly to Munawar, and as the Australian defenders were drawn to him, Munawar returned the ball to Samiullah. As he was rushed at, Samiullah sent a beautiful pass to Shehnaz in the centre-forward position, and this attacker just flicked it in. Goal made possible by good coordinated teamwork. Second example: Samiullah dribbled his way through by beating the right half, then the right back and sent the ball into the striking area, where Manzoor Jr, trapping it well, scooped it high into the corner of the goal. One more goal scored by good synchro¬nised teamwork. In the case of both goals, though he helped to batter'the opposing team with his electrifying moves, it was his team-mates that got the goals. Samiullah says that teams win when they play as such 'No loner can score'. His performance is lauded again and again. He is mentioned as the common denominator in bringing victory to the nation with Islahuddin, Manzoor, Rashid and others. About his coordina¬tion with Islahuddin, against Germany and Spain in March 1975 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Randhir Singh Indian commentator, said. "1 have rarely seen such fast flankmen as the Pakistanis have in Samiullah and islahuddin, who combine their wonderful speed with ball control,",The West Australian, an Australian newspaper, in-its issue of April 18, 1979, on the'eve of the 10 nation International Hockey Tournamennt Perth, said the left winger Samiullah, 27, is recognised-as the world's best player. Another little known fact about Samiuilah: He seemed to hold the welfare of his life and limbs wrth scant regard. Twice he broke his collar bone, the first time in Kuala Lumpur in p 1975, in the'final of the third World Cup," and the second time in August, of the same year, playing for the Customs against traditional rivals, the National Bank team. Samiullah was born in Dera Isrnail Khan on September 9, 1951. Hockey has been a family game for the last two generations. He says he wasinspired by his uncle Motiullah who played for Pakistan from 1954 to 1965- He used to see the crowds at the matches, the welcome meetings and receptions in honour of his uncle. The family boosted the game in Bahawalpur. Motiullah welcomed Samiullah's efforts to learn the game and groomed the young boy. Samiullah's entry into big time was made possible by his uncle'and elder, brother Hidayatullah, Later, his younger brother, Kalimullah would also play at the international level for Pakistan. He has always been a 'team man', To use a cricket phrase for a player in a game which has brought immense pride and glory to Pakistan, Samiullah enjoyed a grand innings of over twelve years. In retrospect, it appears a long duration. But before the astro turf came along, it was not long. The average 'life' of a hockey player was about this long, as his own uncle's twelve years are proof. The astro turf, introduced in 1975, reduced it somewhat, players managing about seven year runs, but a few changes in the rules have again begun to lengthen it, though not exactly back to the old tenures. "One's playing life depends, of course, on one's physical conditioning, to how one can stand up to the strain of competitive matches," Samiullah recalls two Pakistan hockey coaches, Nabi Kalat and Saeed Anwar who introduced new techniques for Keeping the players bodies' and muscles well toned. But Samiullah did not stay longer than necessary. During the press con¬ference in which he announced his retirement he spoke little and preferred to remain to the point. He is frugal with words and does not indulge in acts which waste time and energy. This is perhaps another aspect of his pragmat¬ic character of which he gave full mea¬sure while talking to journalists. According to this man who had led the national eleven to the unforgettable 7-1 victory at the Delhi Asiad, he had been on the national and international hockey scene for enough time. "It is appropriate to say goodbye when you are still respected and appreciated," In the press conference Samiullah expressed the opinion that the next challenging task for the national hockey team, apart from the Champions trophy, was the 1984 Olympics. He was sure that he himself would not remain super fit till then. He stressed that a new and energetic left-winger should be looked for to take his place. He thus gave almost two years to the selectors and the hockey supremos to find a replacement. 
 Set 2/2      At the time of this interview in the last week of October, Samiullah was worried that no decison had been taken as to who would coach and manage the team for the Campions Trophy in Madras which was scheduled to begin on the 7th of December.The coach and the manager should be given some time with the boys so that a rapport can be established between them. Also these two officials, who are responsible to a large extent about the players, can work out the various combinations as to which individual players can be made to play to the best of their potential," It is important that players know and are assured of where they will play and what is expected of each of them. Following this, they must be made to practice in the specific combinations. "You can never overestimate the confidence that one player has in the other if each of them knows the strengths of the other. Their responses to each other have to be fine-tuned. Each must know how the other will react and each must be aware of what his partner expects of him. They have to adjust to each other's speed and reflexes, Therefore, time is important. The degree of excellence or otherwise of performance is the direct result of the length of time spent in preparation."
By Sikandar Sarwar Published in Dawn Review Nov 26 - Dec 02, 1996
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His lithe figure, hurtling down the left side in complete control of the ball, was a sight that delighted the hearts of old-timers in the stands. Here was a player who, in his wizardry, they said, showed glimpses of Dara and Dhyan Chand in their heyday.