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“[…] He was the oil in the machine, always smoothing the way, always ensuring, no matter how difficult the obstacle, that everything was in place. This was his character and his gift.
“[…] He was never one to seek the limelight—quietly enjoying the thrill and glow of success in his way, in the background…”
The following homage to late Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) general secretary and San Juan Jabloteh, Malick Senior Comprehensive and TTFA administrator, Azaad Mohammed-Khan, was submitted to Wired868 by ex-TTFA technical committee chair and Malick stand-out coach, Keith Look Loy:
Yes, we knew he was not in good health, but the news of Azaad’s death, communicated to me by Lasana Liburd this morning, was still unexpected and certainly shocking.
I have known Azaad Mohammed-Khan since our days at St Mary’s College, more than 50 years ago.
Azaad is an unsung hero of Trinidad and Tobago football. He served our game unobtrusively and selflessly for decades.
His contribution, at several levels, in several roles, was critical to the operations and success of many a football organization: Malick Senior Comprehensive School, San Juan Jabloteh FC, the Secondary Schools Football League and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association.
Coach Kenny Thomas is at far left while Azaad Khan is at far right.
2006 World Cup player and ex-England Premier League forward Jason Scotland (second from right, bottom row), current Men’s National U-20 head coach Marvin Gordon (far right, top row) and Justin Latapy-George (fourth from right, middle row) were among the squad.
On the human level, he was a constant friend.
When I left Trinidad on scholarship in 1972, Azaad was my junior at CIC, where he was known affectionately by all as “MK”. I was introduced to “MK the football manager” when, somehow, he found me to ask me to be a guest player in a final with the team he managed in UWI’s 1970s intramural league.
I forget the team’s name but I remember we won the match.
His managerial career began with that win but really took off at Malick Senior Comprehensive (as it was then) where we reconnected as teaching staff colleagues in 1980, after my return to Trinidad.
More importantly, we became football staff colleagues in 1987, my first year coaching the school team.
Malick won the first of many SSFL League and Intercol titles in 1990 (with Arnold Dwarika, Dennis Lawrence and Mark James—father of national player Nathaniel—in the ranks) because of Azaad’s quietly effective and collaborative management style.
He was the oil in the machine, always smoothing the way, always ensuring, no matter how difficult the obstacle, that everything was in place. This was his character and his gift.
Yet, if one looks at photographs from that iconic year, 1990, Azaad is nowhere to be seen.
He was never one to seek the limelight—quietly enjoying the thrill and glow of success in his way, in the background.
Azaad took his talents and skills to Jabloteh (where he was responsible for youth teams, his passion), to SSFL and later to TTFA (where he did not agree with much of what passed for administration but, never one for open conflict, he always sought to quietly affect outcomes).
Azaad Mohammed-Khan is a man we should honour. He was faithful and remained loyal to our football and the young people who play it to the end.
He and his contribution will be well remembered by those whom he touched. RIP MK. My condolences to his family and friends.
Editor’s Note: The funeral for Mr Azaad Mohammed-Khan will take place from 4pm on Tuesday 3 February at Nure Islam Masjid, El Socorro, San Juan.
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Well said Keith , never knew him to seek the limelight or impose himself . Never really saw him angry, he allowed people the room to perform and corrected things quietly and efficiently. He was always willing to accept new ideas in the context of improving the organization and not afraid to delegate tasks and responsibilities.
He was a good friend and a true lover of football
Irreplaceable
Rest in Peace my Friend