Saba Anjum Karim Biography 
Saba Anjum Karim is a former hockey player from Durg, Chhattisgarh. From gali hockey, to India’s hockey captain to DSP of police, she owns an incredible and rocking story for inspiration to tell. For her contributions towards sports, especially hockey, Government of India honoured her with the fourth highest civilian honour - Padma Shri in 2015. She also received Arjuna Award in 2013. She is also a recipient of Chhattisgarh's top Gundadhur sports award. She wants to start an academy to teach hockey.
She was born on June 12, 1985 and grew up in Kelabandi locality of Durg, one of the district headquarters of Chhattisgarh. She was the youngest of the four siblings, born into a poor Muslim family. Her father is a muezzin in a local mosque, who earned around 2000-3000 rupees as monthly earnings. Like several other young boys of her street, she too developed an interest in hockey. Her elder brother used to play hockey and Anjum played with him. A passion since the age of 9 years, it took her to unprecedented heights.
Her mother and siblings have always been her pillar of strength, who sacrificed everything to build a career and life for Saba. Her mother sold utensils of their house to get her a passport because Rs 1,000 was a huge amount of money for her family at that time. Her schooling was completed from the Adarsh Kanya Vidyalaya, Durg. She started coaching with Tanveer Akil in Durg after that. When Chattisgarh state was formed, she got a place in state’s women hockey team.
She later joined Sector 18, Sports Training Centre (SAI) Chandigarh, and played for the team as forward right wing striker from 2000 to 2002. She then joined Western Railways in 2003. Since year 2000, she has been playing in junior level. When she was chosen for 2002 Commonwealth Games at Manchester, she was the youngest hockey player of the group. The team won gold at Commonwealth Games. She was also a member of Indian team in Asia Cup and 2005 Asian Games Women’s Hockey team which won a bronze medal.
Published: February 03, 2019
Updated: February 03, 2019
