By Paritosh Pramanik
NAGPUR, Oct 12
THE passing away of Abdul Latif Abdul Hameed — fondly known as Latif Bhai ‘Fruitwale’ — has created a huge void in football circles of the city.
Latif Bhai, Vice-President of Nagpur District Football Association and President of Nagpur Blues Football Club, passed away on Monday night following a cardiac arrest, according to his close associates.
He was 67 year old.
Latif Bhai was dear to all. Always ready to help, going out of his way for the betterment of footballers, Latif Bhai was a father figure in city’s football circles.
Latif Bhai was a non-political, social person. He had thousands of friends, from all religions and caste. He always wanted to add more to his treasure and loved spending time with his ‘brothers’.
On the fateful Monday night, Latif Bhai, a resident of Teacher’s Colony, Jaffar Nagar, went out to meet his friends on his two-wheeler near Gittikhadan Police Station. He was enjoying his time with them when he suddenly collapsed. He was immediately rushed to hospital. However, destiny had other plans. He could not be revived.
Latif Bhai and a few of his friends had started Nagpur Blues way back in 1985 in Ajni. The club started growing in the NDFA-organised leagues. His more than two decades association with NDFA started in the year 1997. He worked in NDFA in various capacities. He was elected as committee member in the late Sardar Atal Bahadur Singh led football governing body of the district. He was the serving Vice-President of the association.
Latif Bhai was instrumental in shaping careers of many a footballer, helping them get government jobs.
Many of his wards are now placed in Central Railways, South East Central Railways, Police Department and Accountant General Office through sports quotas. For them he was like ‘Bheeshmapitamah’.
From encouraging budding footballers to take up the sport to providing them kits free of cost, Latif Bhai never disappointed anybody.
Not only football players, a benevolent Latif Bhai was there for all.
He was also a well-wisher of Ganpati Sena Ustav Mandal Motibagh and took active part in the celebrations.
Latif Bhai had a special bonding with sports journalists of the city. Whenever SJAN approached him, Latif Bhai was ready with basketfull of fruits.
His last association with SJAN was during the walkathon organised in the month of July.
Despite not in the best of his health, Latif Bhai made it sure to visit the venue Dr Ambedkar College ground, Deekshabhoomi amid heavy rains in the morning. He happily distributed fruits to the participating journalists and wished them luck.
He distributed love and joy and nobody would leave empty handed from Latif Bhai’s doors.
His passing away has left the city’s sports circle empty.
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NDFA pays tributes to Latif Bhai
NAGPUR District Football Association mourned the untimely demise of Abdul Latif who passed away on Monday night.
A condolence meeting was chaired by the NDFA President Haresh Vora at NDFA ground on Tuesday. A two minute’s silence was observed followed by a prayer for the departed soul. In the condolence message, NDFA extended deepest sympathy and shared the grief of the bereaved family.
The meeting was attended by NDFA Secretary Iqbal Kashmiri, Atmaram Pande, Khalid Ansari, Kamil Ansari, Mohd Mubin, Abid Khan, Sanjay Kathale, Stanley Gregory, Hemant Sahani, Satnarayan Jerpot, Mehfooz Akhtar, Dr Kamal, AB, Khan, Papan Pramanik, Bernard D’Souza, Adnan Ali, Ankush Bhadange, Vishal Naidu and others.
