Zafar Iqbal is Dr Zafar now
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Former
Indian Skipper Zafar Iqbal receiving honorary doctorate degree during 60th
Convocation at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.
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Suresh Kumar Lau
Olympian Zafar Iqbal is Dr Zafar now. Aligarh
Muslim University (AMU) conferred a honorary doctorate (Doctor of Letters) for
his contribution in the field of sports. As Zafar, attired in a ceremonial red
– hued academic robe accepted the degree at the AMU’s 60th
convocation recently. An elated hockey star, Zafar said that “it was for the
first time in the history of AMU that it has awarded degree to a sportsperson
and it was a good sign for the future of sports in the country”. A product of
AMU, Zafar Iqbal , former captain and one of the most feared forwards in the
world. An outstanding player with speed and stick work, he was the captain of
Indian Olympics team for the Los Angles Olympic Games 1984. He was also the
flag bearer of the Indian contingent at the Olympics. He was member of the gold
medal – winning team at the Moscow Olympics in 1980. During his playing career
he represented the country for Asian games, Champions Trophy, Olympics and
World Cup in addition to many international tournaments.
A brilliant left winger was born on June
12, 1956 at Monghyr in Bihar. Zafar studied at Aligarh and took his bachelor
degree in civil engineering in 1978. His Physics Professor, Prof. Zilur Rehman
Kahn, provided him foundational lessons in hockey as he himself was
accomplished player. Zafar combined himself qualities of being a good student
as also a player. He succeeded in both proving that studies and sports could go
hand-in-hand. A talent identified from
the combined universities. He even captained his AMU in 1982 before joining
Indian Airlines (now Air India) to boost his hockey career.
He made his international debut in 1977
when he was included in the Indian side to play Test matches against the
Netherlands which India won. He represented India in World Cup in 1978, Asian
Games 1978, Champions Trophy 1980, Indo Pak series 1981, 5th World Cup
at Bombay 1982, Asia Cup 1982 at Karachi, Champions Trophy 1982 at Amsterdam,
IX Asian Games 1982, New Delhi, Esanda World Cup at Melbourne 1982, Pentangular
tournament 1983 Kaula Lumpur, New Zealand and Australia tour in 1983. He was
adjusted the Best player in the four nation tournament in Kuwait.
He played test Matches against Pakistan and
won the series. Iqbal kept on playing for Indian Airlines (now Air India) even
after retiring from the global hockey. He was the national coach in 1993 and
1994. He was honored with the Arjuna
Award in the year 1983, Yash Bharti Award of
UP Government in the year 1994-95 and the Padam Shri in 2012. Iqbal currently
works as Manager of Air India.
Sportsperson with honorary doctorate for outstanding
achievements and contributions
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Name
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Discipline
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Date
and Year
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Awarded
by University
|
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Randhir
Singh
|
Shooting
and promotion of Sports
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September
8, 2000
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LNIPE,
Gwalior, MP
|
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Viswanathan
Anand
|
Chess
|
November
13, 2007
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Sathyabama
University, Jeppiaar Nagar ,Chennai (TN)
|
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Abhinav
Bindra
|
Shooting
|
September
7, 2008
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SRM
University, Kattankulathur ,Chennai (TN)
|
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Sania
Mirza
|
Tennis
|
December
11, 2008
|
Dr.MGR
Educational and Research Institute University, Maduravoyal, Chennai (TN)
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|
Sunil
Gavaskar
|
Cricket
|
February
4, 2009
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Padmashree
Dr D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
|
|
Gurbachan
Singh Randhawa
|
Athletics
and Promote culture of Sports
|
December
29, 2009
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Punjabi
University Patiala, Punjab
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S.Venkatraghavan
|
Cricket
|
January
8, 2010
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Tamil
Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Nungambakkam ,Chennai
|
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M. S.
Dhoni
|
Cricket
|
August
29, 2011
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De
Montfort University, Leicester, England
|
|
Sushil
Kumar
|
Wrestling
|
November
3, 2012
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Mangalayatan
University, Aligarh, UP
|
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Vijay
Kumar
|
Shooting
|
November
3, 2012
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Mangalayatan
University, Aligarh, UP
|
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Mary
Kom
|
Boxing
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November
3, 2012
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Mangalayatan
University, Aligarh, UP
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Gagan
Narang
|
Shooting
|
November
3, 2012
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Mangalayatan
University, Aligarh, UP
|
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Saina
Nehwal
|
Badminton
|
November
3, 2012
|
Mangalayatan
University, Aligarh, UP
|
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Yogeshwar
Dutt
|
Wrestling
|
November
3, 2012
|
Mangalayatan
University, Aligarh, UP
|
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Zafar
Iqbal
|
Hockey
|
February
16, 2013
|
Aligarh
Muslim University, UP
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