Nabi Chowdhury

Nabi Chowdhury
Nabi Chowdhury in 1958
Personal information
Full name Nurunnabi Chowdhury
Date of birth 1934
Place of birth Feni, Noakhali District, Bengal Presidency, British India (present-day Bangladesh)
Date of death (aged 68–69)
Place of death Dhaka, Bangladesh
Position(s)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1952–1956 Pakistan Air Force
1956–1957 Dhaka Wanderers
1958 PWD SC
1959–1968 Police AC
International career
1959–1961 East Pakistan
1954–1958 Pakistan
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Nurunnabi Chowdhury (Bengali: নুরুন্নবী চৌধুরী; 1934 – January 2003), better known as Nabi Chowdhury, was a former Bangladeshi football player and the first East Pakistani or Bengali to captain the Pakistan national football team.[1][2][3]

Early life

Nabi Chowdhury was born in Aziz Fazilpur village in the Feni sub-division of Noakhali District, Bengal. Nabi began his career in inter-school football after being inspired by headmaster Jalaluddin Ahmed. He represented Comilla Victoria College while simultaneously playing in the Comilla Football League with Pak United.[4] He joined the Pakistan Air Force following his intermediate examinations.[5]

Club career

Pakistan Air Force

Nabi represented Royal Pakistan Air Force in the Inter-Service Championship from 1952 to 1956.[6] He came into the limelight in 1953, scoring a hat-trick for Pakistan Services against a touring Australian team in Karachi.[5] In 1955, he toured Tehran, Iran, with the Pakistan Armed Forces team as an Air Force member and participated in a football tournament which reportedly included teams from Turkey, India, Iraq and Syria.[7] In the same year, he represented Air Force in the National Football Championship in Bahawalpur. During the first-round, Nabi scored in 5–0 victory against Sindh on 16 November.[8] The team eventually exited the tournament from the quarter-finals, losing 4–2 to eventual champions, Punjab on 20 November.[9] In 1956, he again toured Iran with the Armed Forces team, which played three exhibition matches in Tehran against the Iranian Army–Air Force XI, a civil team, and the Navy–Civil XI.[10]

Dhaka Football League

Nabi left the Air Force in 1957 after moving back to East Pakistan. He began playing for Dhaka Wanderers Club from 1956 and represented the team until 1957. In his first year, Wanderers, coming off a hat-trick of Dhaka First Division League titles, lost many of their senior players to Mohammedan SC following a fallout with club officials. Nevertheless, Nabi led a young Wanderers side to his first league championship and the club's fourth consecutive title.[11][12] In 1957, he assisted the club in its joint triumph at the Independence Day Football Tournament alongside Police AC.[13] However, that season saw Wanderers finally lose the league title to Mohammedan.

In 1958, he joined newly promoted First Division side PWD SC. He also captained the club during the inaugural Aga Khan Gold Cup in Dhaka.[14] In the same year, he won the Independence Day Football Tournament as a guest player for Mohammedan, with the club defeating Dhaka University 2–1 in the final. He also represented Mohammedan in the IFA Shield in Calcutta, India, playing as a centre-half.[15] Mohammedan defeated Calcutta Police, Aryan FC, and Punjab XI before exiting in the quarter-finals following a 3–0 defeat to the defending champions, Kolkata Mohammedan.[16][17][18][19]

Nabi also helped Noakhali District win the 1958 Inter-District Football Tournament. In the final held at Dhaka Stadium, Noakhali tied 2–2 with Dhaka District, with their goals coming from Nabi and Bimal. They were eventually awarded the trophy after a coin toss. This was the first time a trophy was awarded to a sole team based on the toss in the region.[20]

He eventually joined the East Pakistan Police as a Sergeant and represented Police AC as captain from 1959 until his retirement in 1968.[5][21][22] In his debut season at the club in 1959, he helped Police jointly win the Independence Day Football Tournament alongside Azad SC after both teams finished level in the final.[23] Towards the end of his career, Nabi began playing in a more attacking role. On 23 July 1967, he scored three goals against Central Stationary in the First Division in only his second appearance of the season.[24] In the same year, he captained Dhaka Police in the Zakir Hossain Shield, leading the team to a 6–1 victory over Bakerganj Police XI in the final on 24 September, during which he scored a brace.[25]

East Pakistan

In 1957, Nabi participated in the National Football Championship held in Dhaka as a member of the eventual runners-up, East Pakistan Whites. He played as a center-half, alongside fullbacks Amir Jang Ghaznavi and Eugene Gomes. He scored in the first round against Pakistan Navy FC in a 5–2 victory on 22 October, during which Ashraf Chowdhury scored a hat-trick.[26] In the final against Punjab, held in Dhaka Stadium on 10 November, Nabi was forced to leave the field for five minutes after sustaining a nose injury, during which time his team conceded a goal and would eventually go on to lose the game 1–2.[27][28]

In the 1958 edition of the National Championship held in Multan, Nabi captained East Pakistan, as his team exited the tournament in the quarter-final, falling 1–3 to Punjab Reds, the junior string of the team they had faced in the previous year's final.[29] On 16 October 1959, Nabi represented East Pakistan during an exhibition match in Gujranwala against the local Al Hilal Club, scoring the winner in a 2–1 victory from a direct corner after Shah Alam scored the first for East Pakistan.[30]

Following the exhibition matches, Nabi represented East Pakistan in the 1959 National Championship held in Hyderabad, where his team again finished runners-up, losing to 0–1 to Baluchistan in the final held on 7 November 1959.[31] Eventually, in the following edition held in Karachi, he was part of the East Pakistan team that won its maiden National Championship,[32] defeating Karachi White 1–0 in the final held on 27 November 1960.[33]

Following 1960, when the EP Sports Federation began sending divisional teams to the National Championship, Nabi started representing the Chittagong Division.[4]

International career

East Pakistan

On 14 May 1959, Nabi represented the East Pakistan football team (East Pakistan Sports Federation XI) in an exhibition match against the Pakistan national team in Dhaka. The game held at Dhaka Stadium finished in a 2–1 defeat for the East Wing.[34] In January 1961, he represented East Pakistan in two exhibition matches against the touring Burma national team in Dhaka and Chittagong. The games held on 17 and 26 January ended in 3–0 and 9–1 defeats, respectively.[35][36]

Pakistan

Nabi made his debut for the Pakistan national team in a friendly against Singapore in Kallang, which ended in a 2–2 draw.[37] He subsequently represented the team at the 1954 Manila Asian Games.[38]

He later participated in both the 1954 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament and 1955 Asian Quadrangular Football Tournament, with the latter held on home soil, in Dacca, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).[5][4]

In 1956, he toured Singapore, China and Ceylon with the national team.[5] Nabi captained Pakistan at the 1958 Tokyo Asian Games, the first Bengali to do so.[1][39][40] The team, including six Bengali players, tied the first game 1–1 with South Vietnam and lost its final game 1–3 to the Republic of China.[2][41] Prior to the tournament, he captained the team during exhibition matches against the likes of Malaya and Singapore.[42]

Organizing career

Following the Independence of Bangladesh, Nabi served as a Deputy Police Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police.[43] Nabi served as the chairman of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) national team selection committee from 1973 to 1974 and as the general secretary in 1979. He was a member for four terms, specifically in 1975, 1977, 1982, and 1992–1993. Nabi played an integral role in selecting the first Bangladesh national football team alongside Sheikh Shaheb Ali, Manzur Hasan Mintu, and Ranjit Das for the 1973 Merdeka Tournament.[44] He served as the team manager of the Bangladesh U20 team under Werner Bickelhaupt at the 1978 AFC Youth Championship in Dhaka.[45]

Death

Nabi died of diabetes-related complications in January 2003.[4]

Honours

Dhaka Wanderers

Mohammedan

Police

East Pakistan

Pakistan

Individual

See also

References

  1. ^ a b এশিয়ান গেমস অনেক দূরে চলে গেছে [The Asian Games going far away]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 19 September 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  2. ^ a b এশিয়ান গেমস হোক সাফের প্রস্তুতি [Asian Games should be preparation for SAFF]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 2 August 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2023.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  3. ^ বাঙালির ফুটবল-সাফল্য এখন কেবলই স্মৃতি [Bengali football success is now only a memory]. U71 News (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e Dulal, Mahmud (2014). পাকিস্তান জাতীয় দল বাঙালি খেলোয়াড় (transl. Bengali players in the Pakistan national team) (in Bengali). Bishhoshahitto Bhobon. pp. 55–57.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Veteran Calling". The Pakistan Observer. 23 July 1969. p. 10. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via gpa.eastview.com.
  6. ^ "Pakistan Soccer Team Stars (3)". The Civil and Military Gazette. 18 April 1954. p. 8. Retrieved 21 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "PAKISTAN SERVICES SOCCER TEAM TO VISIT IRAN". The Civil and Military Gazette. 21 May 1955. p. 5. Retrieved 2 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "R.P.A.F. SWAMP SIND 5–0". The Civil and Military Gazette. 17 November 1955. p. 6. Retrieved 2 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ "PUNJAB ENTER SEMI-FINAL". The Civil and Military Gazette. 21 November 1955. p. 5. Retrieved 2 February 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "SERVICES TEAM OFF TO IRAN". The Pakistan Observer. 30 October 1956. p. 6.
  11. ^ "Wanderers back in the big league with nostalgia and new hope". The Daily Star. 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  12. ^ Alam, Masud (18 October 2020). টানা ৬ লিগজয়ী ওয়ান্ডারার্সের বর্তমানটা লজ্জার [The Wanderers, who recorded 6 league wins in a row, are now in shame]. Prothom Alo (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  13. ^ "Police Share Pakistan Day Trophy With Wanderers". The Pakistan Observer. 16 August 1957. p. 6.
  14. ^ "Aga Khan Soccer Tournament". The Civil and Military Gazette. 23 September 1958. p. 12. Retrieved 24 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ^ Kabir, Iqbal (2 July 2022). পঞ্চাশের দশকে ঢাকার ফুটবলে রক্ষণ ভাগের দুই প্রহরীর গল্প [The story of two defenders in Dhaka football in the fifties]. ctgsangbad24.com (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  16. ^ "ঢাকা মোহামেডান স্পোর্টিং দল শিল্ডের দ্বিতীয় রাউণ্ডে উন্নতি" [Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting Team advances to second round of Shield]. Jugantar Patrika (in Bengali). 8 September 1958. p. 6. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
  17. ^ "আরিয়ান্সের শোচনীয় পরাজয়" [Aryan's miserable defeat]. Jugantar Patrika (in Bengali). 10 September 1958. p. 6. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
  18. ^ "ঢাকা মোহামেডান স্পোর্টিং স্বল্পায়াসে ৪-১ গোলে জয়ী" [Dhaka Mohammedan Sporting won 4-1 in a close encounter]. Jugantar Patrika (in Bengali). 15 September 1958. p. 6. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
  19. ^ "মোহামেডান স্পোর্টিং স্বল্পায়াসে শিল্ডের সেমিফাইনালে উন্নতি" [Mohammedan Sporting won narrowly reach the shield semifinals]. Jugantar Patrika (in Bengali). 19 September 1958. p. 7. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
  20. ^ "DIST. SOCCER TROPHY FOR NOAKHALI". The Pakistan Observer. 6 November 1958. p. 6.
  21. ^ Kabir, Shajahan (6 January 2024). ফুটবলে তখন নাম ছিল, টাকা-পয়সার ব্যাপার ছিল না [Football had name back then, Money was not a problem]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  22. ^ Iqramuzzaman, Mohamed (29 November 2024). বাংলাদেশ প্রিমিয়ার লীগ প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতাপূর্ণ হোক [Let the Bangladesh Premier League be competitive]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 25 January 2025. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  23. ^ "খেলোয়াড়দের সাহায্য তহবিল" [Players' Relief Fund] (in Bengali). The Azad. 16 August 1959. p. 8.
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  25. ^ "Dacca annex Zakir Hossain Shield". The Pakistan Observer. 25 September 1967. p. 6. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via gpa.eastview.com.
  26. ^ "EAST WING (WHITES) TROUNCE NAVY". The Civil and Military Gazette. 23 October 1957. p. 12. Retrieved 20 June 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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  28. ^ "Organisers wake up". The Daily Star. 13 February 2006. Archived from the original on 8 August 2023. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Unceremonious Exit By East Wing". The Civil and Military Gazette. 16 November 1958. p. 11. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  30. ^ "Impressive Win For East Wing". The Civil and Military Gazette. 17 October 1959. p. 9. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  31. ^ "Baluchistan Wins National Soccer". The Civil and Military Gazette. 8 November 1959. p. 4. Retrieved 21 August 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  32. ^ "Dacca Team Selected". The Civil and Military Gazette. 2 November 1960. p. 8. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  33. ^ "Pakistan - List of Champions". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  34. ^ "National Team Win A Tame Match". The Pakistan Observer. 15 May 1959. p. 8.
  35. ^ "BURMA SOCCER TEAM WIN 3–0". The Pakistan Observer. 18 January 1961. p. 8.
  36. ^ "BURMA SPEARHEAD SCORES HAT-TRICK". The Pakistan Observer. 26 January 1961. p. 6.
  37. ^ "Again—That Fighting Spirit". Singapore Standard. 26 April 1954. p. 12. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 29 September 2024.
  38. ^ "PAKISTAN SOCCER TEAM ANNOUNCED". The Civil and Military Gazette. 6 April 1954. p. 6. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  39. ^ Ahsan, Ali (23 December 2010). "A history of football in Pakistan – Part I". Dawn. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2014.
  40. ^ "NABI CHAUDHRI TO SKIPPER". The Civil and Military Gazette. 13 April 1958. p. 14. Retrieved 5 October 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  41. ^ "Asian Games 1958 (Tokyo, Japan)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  42. ^ "S'pore saved by late penalty". The Straits Times. 18 May 1958. p. 19. Archived from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
  43. ^ "নবী চৌধুরীর সুপারিশ-ফুটবলে পঞ্চবার্ষিকী পরিকল্পনা" [Nabi Chowdhury's recommendation - Five-year plan in football] (in Bengali). Krirajagat. 1 June 1981. pp. 11–13.
  44. ^ সেদিন লাল-সবুজ পতাকা উড়িয়েছিল ফুটবল [Football flew the red-green flag that day]. Kaler Kantho (in Bengali). 26 July 2020. Archived from the original on 14 March 2024. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  45. ^ Mahmud, Dulal (20 April 2021). ঢাকার মাঠে সবচেয়ে বড় ফুটবল উৎসব [The biggest football festival in Dhaka]. Utp al Shuvro (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 22 November 2023.

Bibliography

  • Mahmud, Dulal (2014). পাকিস্তান জাতীয় দল বাঙালি খেলোয়াড় (transl. Bengali players in the Pakistan national team) (in Bengali). Bishhoshahitto Bhobon.
  • Mahmud, Dulal (2020). খেলার মাঠে মুক্তিযুদ্ধ (transl. Liberation war in the playground) (in Bengali). Bishhoshahitto Bhobon. ISBN 978-984-8218-31-0.
  • Alam, Masud (2017). ফুটবলের গল্প ফুটবলারদের গল্প (transl. The story of football the story of footballers) (in Bengali). Bishhoshahitto Bhobon. ISBN 9789849134688.

Further reading

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