GURGAON (India): Mohammed Shahid, Indian hockey superstar of the eighties, has died.

The 56-year-old was battling serious liver problems at a private hospital in Gurgaon.

Shahid was on the ventilator and died at 10:45am on Wednesday. His liver and kidney ailment had been aggravated after a bout of jaundice earlier this year.

Shahid had been rushed to a Gurgaon hospital at the end of June when his condition turned serious. He complained of stomach ache due to liver complications.

Over the last few days, Shahid’s condition had been deterioratating. The Sports Ministry and his employers, the Railways, were taking care of all his medical expenses. On Tuesday night, he slipped into coma.

Shahid, known for his sizzling runs and ball control, formed a formidable pair with Zafar Iqbal. They helped India win medals in the 1982 and 1986 Asian Games.

Zafar was distraught at the news.

“I am deeply saddened, I have lost one of my closest comrades. We played together for seven years. His contributions to the game are immeasurable,” Zafar, who had visited the ailing Shahid in the hospital, told the Times of India.

India’s goalkeeper and captain for the Rio Olympics PR Sreejesh, who had visited the ailing Shahid last week, was left stunned.

“I am speechless. When we visited him, the situation was very critical. It’s a great loss for Indian hockey. Shahid was a legend who brought hockey to a different level,” said Sreejesh, speaking from Bangalore, where the Indian team is engaged in a 20-day pre-Olympics camp.

Shahid helped the country win gold medal in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow. That is still the last time India won an Olympic gold.

A sports officer with the Railways, Shahid received the Arjuna Award in 1981, an award which recognizes outstanding achievements in national sports, and the Padma Shri in 1986, which is the fourth highest civilian award in India.

Shahid also captained India during the 1985-86 season before retiring from hockey.

Published in Dawn, July 21st, 2016