The inspiring real-life story of Syed Abdul Rahim, pioneering football coach and manager under whose watch India won two gold medals, one each in the Asian Games of 1951 and 1962, is at the heart of ‘Maidaan’.
After the historic loss at the Summer Olympic games against a strong Yugoslav team that routed the barefoot Indians who were ill prepared for a cold rainy 90 minute game against a team that were far better than them, SA Rahim has to sit and face Bureaucrats at Football Federation of India office.
It is suffice it to say that Anjan Da who is the President of the Federation allows the coach to lay out his strategy.
The coach ‘Rahim Saab’ is given the freedom to go scout for the best players from around India (rather than favour Bengal clubs simply because they love football so much), and train them.
Coach Rahim battles the bureaucrats off the field and puts the ‘star’ players in places and creates history by taking the team into what is today considered the Golden Age of Indian Football. The record wins the team brought us has never been broken!
The single money lesson that this film teaches us is a valuable one. Simply put, be like coach Rahim when it comes to your money life.
The coach takes 100% responsibility.
‘If I am to be made responsible for the team, then give me time to choose the players and train them in my methods,’ coach Rahim tells the board.
As Rahim Saab of your own portfolio, you too should have a keen eye for spotting stocks and investment instruments that will work together as a team. Some defenders, and others great forwards. But don’t forget what coach Rahim says to the players: You may be playing in different positions, but you play as one team. Every asset in your portfolio performs differently, and is ranked differently, but together they make your portfolio strong.
The coach takes tough decisions
When it comes to the Asian Games, and politics rears its ugly head, coach Rahim had to make a difficult decision: he had to drop a few players from the team.
As a smart investor, you cannot cling to stocks that have been your favourite. Your strategy to win must include an ability to let go and re-imagine your assets.
The coach responds to situations.
SA Rahim realises during the game that the Koreans like to play high passes and cover more ground that way. He quickly asks his defenders to move their positions ahead so that the Koreans are not able to get closer to their goal.
Your investment strategy has to be equally aware of market conditions and operate proactively. To be able to do that, you should take charge of understanding and studying the market at all times. Be better informed!
This film has been shot by someone who truly understands what it means to get up close and personal with the game.
