User:Konain saif wiki/Prof. Saif-ud-din

Prof. Saif-ud-din ( M.A, LLB ) (Kashmiri: سيف ا لد ين ( Urdu ) (B. 25th December, 1915, Srinagar - D. 28th December, 1981, Srinagar) was a leading promoter of education and sports in Kashmir. He served as the Principal, between 20th October 1952 - 14th March 1970, of Govt Degree College, Sopore; Government Degree College, Poonch; Govt Degree College, Anantnag and Sri Pratap College, Srinagar. He was a prominent Historian, a notable Footballer and over and above he was one of the most popular, respected personality of his state during his lifetime.

His greatest achievement was his popularity graph which was so high that his name did not need a second introduction when referred in the fields of education and sports including a vast social circle. People associated with him or knowing him in various capacities and circles always referred and remembered him with great admiration, reverence and adoration during and after his lifetime.

Early Life
Born in 1915 in Srinagar to Mohd. Ismail and M. Zenab, Saif-ud-din was an adventurous and sports loving child, football would later on become his forte. His childhood was influenced by his mother M. Zenab. His paternal forefathers came to Kashmir, with the army of Raja Bagwan Das, during the reign of Akbar the great from Rajasthan where they were Rajputs of the Rathore Clan of Ranthambore, while his maternal ancestors came to Kashmir from Kabul during the Pathan rule. At the age of 17 he was offered by then Prince of Berar, son of Nizam of Hyderabad, to join his army as a lieutenant. This is after he scored two hat trick goals in two halves against the Prince's team, which impressed the prince. However he declined the Prince's offer.

Education:
During his time in Aligarh Muslim University, UP he was awarded Colours of the University.
 * F.Sc, 1936, Sri Pratab College, Srinagar, passed with 1st position in the state
 * B.A, 1939, Sri Pratab College, Srinagar, graduated with History, Economics and English
 * M.A, LL.B, 1941, Aligarh Muslim University, UP, passed M.A with 2nd class and LL.B with 1st class

Roles

 * 1941 - 1951, Lecturer of History and Economics at Sri Pratab College, Srinagar
 * 1951 - 1952, Professor of History at Amar Singh College, Srinagar
 * 1952 - 1959, Principal Govt Degree College Sopore, Sopore
 * 1959 - 1960, Principal Government Degree College Poonch, Poonch
 * 1960 - 1962, Principal Government Degree College Anantnag, Anantnag
 * 1962 - 1970, Principal Sir Pratab College, Srinagar
 * 1970 - 1971, Sports officer, Jammu & Kashmir

Contribution as a Historian and educationalist
Apart from teaching History to Degree level pupils for 29 years, his notable contribution as a historian were:
 * Being a member of the panel of authors who wrote History text books for 2nd to 8th class curriculum which where introduced in 1949
 * Contributing author to Sources of the History of India with chapter titled Sources of the history of Kashmir (Covering 1505 to 1801).
 * He also wrote a book on the history of India in Urdu called مَصباح تواريغ الهند (Misbah-e-Tawareek-ul-Hind)

Sports
Along with being a just footballer himself, he played an instrumental role in promoting numerous sports through out the state of Jammu and Kashmir, primarily by heading various sports associations, including: Apart from football he would also play hockey during his early years for his college, during his later years, as Principal, one would frequently see him playing Cricket, Lawn tennis with his staff and students.
 * Chairman, Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association
 * President, Jammu & Kashmir Weight Lifting Association
 * President, Kashmir Olympic Association
 * Founder member, Jammu & Kashmir Football Association
 * Sports Officer, Jammu & Kashmir

Society
Secretary, Amar Singh Club, Srinagar

Honours
"'In order that the stadium (ref. Sher-I-Kashmir) can be effectively utilized all year round and not remain dead during non-event months, a small club with a lounge, cafeteria, indoor game room and every day meeting place for young member has been constructed. The club has been named as Saif-ud-din Sports Club in the memory of Late Prof. Saif-ud-din who was a great sportsman of the state (ref. Jammu & Kashmir)." In 1988 the club was the venue for 2nd J & k States Billards & Snooker Championship and 1st Srinagar District Billards & Snooker Championship and in 1989 it was the venue for 2nd Srinagar District Billards & Snooker Championship.
 * Saif-ud-din Sports Club, was built adjutant to Sher-i-Kashmir indoor stadium, Srinagar. It was built to ensure activity in the stadium during non-event months.

The Sports club was destroyed in January 2005 by a terrorist attack, it's loss shocked the sports loving youth of the city.
 * In 1982, his alma mater Sri Pratap College, Srinagar started a football tournament in his honour, called  The Saif-ud-din Memorial Football Tournament
 * On 19th July 1988, his [alma mater]] Sri Pratap College, Srinagar honoured him again by building a recreational hall with-in the premises of the college. The hall was inaugurated by Dr. Farooq Abdullah.
 * In 1982, Saif-ud-din Sports Foundation was started in conjunction with The J & K Hockey Association to hold Hockey Tournaments in honour, the tournaments were called 'Saif-ud-din Memorial Hockey Tournament.'

Death
He died on 28th December 1981 in Srinagar. His death was mourned by sports persons, educationalists and general public alike. On 1st of January 1982 the regular sports programme, Khel-Ki-Duniya (खेल की दुनिया (Hindi) ), broadcast of Radio Kashmir, Srinagar was replaced by paying tribute to Prof. Saif-ud-din.