August 10, 2019

Shahid Qureshi - Hoopistani Indian Basketball Hall of Fame


Photo courtesy: Man's World India
One of the first Indians to play pro basketball abroad, an Indian international star, and a hero of Mumbai's most iconic court, Shahid Qureshi is today's entrant into the Hoopistani Indian Basketball Hall of Fame.

Hailing from Mumbai, Qureshi honed his game at the famed basketball courts in Nagpada and Mastan. A dominant power-forward, Qureshi was strong on both ends of the floor. He is widely recognised as the first Indian to play professionally abroad, after he was handed a contract to play in Sweden for the club Akropol in 1994. It was here that he picked up the nickname 'Djor', or the Bull, for his forceful style of play. Qureshi played two seasons in Sweden, including pro 3x3 basketball as well. He briefly played pro in Singapore, too.

Qureshi last represented India's national team in 1998, and was the last player from Nagpada to don the Indian colours. He worked for Tata Steel and has now permanently moved to the US.

Click here for more of the Hoopistani Indian Basketball Hall of Fame.



13 comments:

  1. Arvind D'Souza14 August, 2019 04:44

    it was about time someone mention Shaid Quereshi.
    Best Basketball Player India ever produce.I played against him many times,believe me we used to pray that he is not at his best so that we could play ball.
    He used to cry if he lose any match but next day god help the other team because he come out stronger.
    I find out He is in new york,usa now with his family his wife is junior international player also.
    all time best india basketball player
    Best male player - Shaid Quereshi
    Best Female player - Apoorna ghosh

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you sir for the recognition.
      I am going to show him the messages and I am sure he will appreciate it.

      Delete
    2. Does he have an account on Facebook?I been trying to find him.Was his neighbor in Nagpada

      Delete
    3. Brother need video of him any site to get his.i want to play my daughter

      Delete
    4. He only player was scared of Haryanas is S. Chahal from haryana, the best defender never let him to the ring.

      Delete
  2. I am 100 percent agree with you.He bring TISCO and BIHAR Basketball from no one to NUMBER 1.
    I play for Kerala and then TN Basketball,no one can play in front of Shahid.He can score when he want,only problem with him was he was very angry.BFI don’t take care of players and this man always tell them the truth

    ReplyDelete
  3. GOOD PLAYER,GREAT PERSON!
    Hello all my name is Jeet and i am from the lovely City State of Singapore.
    I stumbled upon this article while browsing for Indian basketball.I have actually seen Shahid play in few matches in Singapore along with very tall PANDA,another famous player from south name i think Raja or something like that.My son has his autograph till now.
    He also played as guest player for Converse basketball team in Singapore,he lived in Kembangan area,very close to my apartment.we met again and i went along with him to a pub with his team manager(i cant remember his name)
    Before i spoke to him,he seemed very arrogant person but i can say firsthand that he turned out to be a very very nice guy.My son started playing Basketball because of him was selected for his school and college team.
    If anyone has his USA number or how to contact him,i beg you to pass it to me.thx.
    my email is jeetsingh@singtel.sg

    ReplyDelete
  4. VERY BEST PLAYER FROM NAGAPADA MUMBAI.
    WAS LITTLE BIT PLAYING ROUGH AND TOUGH LIKE FOREIGN PLAYER AND WAS CAPTAIN OF MAHARASHTRA STATE MEN AND JUNIR TEAM SAME TIME.GOD BLESS HIM FORVER.SOMETIMES HE CAME TO CENTRAL YMCA AND II PLAY AGAINST HIM IN COLABA.HE HELP OTHER PLAYERS LIKE BOB,DONALD AND SANJU.
    ALWAYS HELPFUL AND ALWAYS FUNNY MAN.I DONT AGREE THAT HE IS ARROGANT LITTLE RESERVED YES.GOD BLESS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thats where i met him too what a small world

      Delete

  5. Thanks for sharing this post with us.Wikivela

    ReplyDelete
  6. i hope to meet him one day such a great man with a very caring nature he took a 12yr old of the streets to his home and treated him like his own child fed him he even celebrated eid with him and his family if this gets to you shahid sir please reply i want to thank you for all the things u have done for me as a kid thank you shahid sir
    imran colaba ymca

    ReplyDelete
  7. I also stumbled onto this blog and was surprised. Currently I am Principal of Maharashtra College of Arts Science and Commerce which is situated at Nagpada. Shahid is an alumnus of Maharashtra College. He played for the College team. Somewhere down the lane the College lost contact with him. I would be more than happy to get his contact so that I can rebuild the repo. Dr Sirajuddin Chougle +919821681570 sirajchougle@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete