Comments on: Kenya’s Man of the Match

By: Hamid Faquire

Hamid Faquire — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:15:24 +0000

I first met Aasif in 1974 when my wife and I visited Mombasa from the USA.He was a little curious boy even back then. His father Yusuf is a great friend of mine from our old tennis days in Uganda and Kenya.Naturally when Aasif graduated from high school in Kenya,It was automatic that he came to Palm beach community college in Florida on a tennis scholarship.He excelled in tennis at the community college level in the USA and after graduation,he had a pick of four years university around the country.The rest as we say is History. I am very proud fo Aasif and honored to call him SON.My wife and I wish him continued sucess in life. Hamid.

By: Dele Young

Dele Young — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 23:41:39 +0000

Aasif, I am very proud of your achievements in cricket. As you know we were big rivals in tennis from juniors to our last match when George Mason played Howard in the US. It has almost 20 years and it is great although you have been successful in cricket that you basically are the same person you were when we were playing under 13s. It was a thrill to come home and turn on Fox Sports World and see you being interviewed based on your performance in South Africa. I had to look several times at the TV to make sure this was the Asif Karim I knew.

Regards

Dele Young

By: Jim Chastain

Jim Chastain — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 22:07:24 +0000

One of the happiest times a professor can have is seeing his student become successful. Reading about Aasif's cricket and tennis success make me proud. Reading about his business success makes me even more proud. The greatest satisfaction comes from reading words from his friends and family like friendly, mentor, gentleman, kind, inspiration,great sportsman, outstanding professionalism, pleasantness, loving and humble.

I am pleased to be able to say that Aasif was my student and friend at Howard University.

By: Zed Fazel

Zed Fazel — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 17:53:46 +0000

I have known Karim family for many years and we were neighbours in Mombasa. I know Aasif since his childhood. In those days (1978/9) the media was not as advanced as is today and I remember Aasif, his brother Aarif and myself listening to cricket commentary (India/Pakistan series) and would curse the passing cars as the noise would blurr our radio.

And then those simple but very enjoyable visits to 'Mamadi' for kebabs and 'Abbasi Cafe' for bbq's and lime barfi (sorbets).

To me, Aasif comes out as a very organised person. He has kept a subtle balance between his sporting career, business career and social life where you see the real Aasif, loving and caring and a humble person. Much before taking the Aussies for a 'spin', he also had a similar feat. Playing for Kenya Combined against visiting Indian XI at Coast Gymkhana,Mombasa, Aasif removed Vengsarkar off 2nd ball, took Roger Binny cheaply and later removed the legendary Kapil Dev.

He had that nagging accuracy. The opponents would plan to play off his 10 overs and then try and take on other bowlers. He had a great impact on his teams and his presence contributed to their success. A calm and cool exterior conceals a very positive and determined, but a very friendly person. Aasif was so talented that had he been born in a test playing nation, I am positive that he would have played test cricket.

Though his roots are 'desi', he is a true and a proud Kenyan, having captained and represented Kenya at cricket and also tennis.Perhaps that would be the only instance where a father (Yusufbhai) and son (Aasif) have represented their countries at two major sports.

I wish Aasif success in writing his book and may he prosper in every aspect of his life. Our fond memories of life in Mombasa will always remain with me to cherish.

Dear Aasif:Best regards and warm wishes to you and your family from my family and I.

Zulfikar Fazel, Leicester, England.

By: A Kassam

A Kassam — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 12:54:37 +0000

I have known Asif and his family from the time immemorial - say about 40 years.

Asif's father Yusuf Karim was a hard court tennis champion of Coast Province of Kenya for about quarter of a century.

Asif has excelled equally well and has represented Kenya in tennis and has captained Kenya in cricket world cup.

Both father and son are admirable sportsmen ever willing to help. Our fraternity is very proud about them and both are admired on the field for talent and pleasantness off the field.

Asgar Kassam - Ex sports writer in DAILY NATION and The Standard newspapers. Nairobi, Kenya

By: A KASSAM

A KASSAM — Thu, 15 Feb 2007 20:48:17 +0000

Best wishes to Aasif and his family.

By: jos gokke

jos gokke — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:05:36 +0000

Since I met Aasif in 1990, during the ICC tournament in Holland, we have always been in touch. Its good to see how someone can combine sports and a business carrier. Aasif is, in my opinion, one of the very few sportsman, who are not only excelling in their specialities on the pitch but also in there daily career. Its an honour to me to know him and to have him on my list of friends. A true sportsman.

By: Prakash Bhatt

Prakash Bhatt — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 10:41:23 +0000

I was lucky enough to play against MR.ASIF KARIM when i used to play professionally for Kanbis Sports club, Nairobi for 3 yrs. Inspite of having played some of the top spinners in india in indian first class cricket for more than 11 years, i found no ease to play Mr. Karim when ever we played against each other.apart from cricket i was lucky to have some long chat with him after one of the game and i found a thorough gentleman in him with all professionalism of a top cricketer built in.it was a proud moment to see Mr. Karim getting man of the match award in one of the world cup games against the giant “Australia” few yrs back.I would luv to see Mr.karim getting some important roles through Kenya Criket to the ICC. I wish him and his family all the best, prakash bhatt, rajkot, india.

By: Amir

Amir — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 07:42:02 +0000

Aasif Uncle is not only a Great Sportsmen but a very good mentor and an inspiration to the youth. Knowing him and being on the same ground is like a dream that you never want to wakeup from. He is a good friend all and is always willing to lend an advice everywhere he goes. Aasif Uncle playing against you and with you is a dream come true for me. I have learnt lots from you and hope to learn more. Thank you for all you have done. (Bet BIG B did not know he had competition From “BIG K” back here)

By: Rizwan Karim

Rizwan Karim — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 15:45:40 +0000

Coming from a cricket playing family based in Mombasa, Kenya, my dad Mohammed Raza Karim along with my uncle Aasif Karim, were no doubt the greatest inspirations for me to take up the game at a very young age. My dad represented the Kenya national team during the 70′s and 80′s and then watching Aasif Uncle play for Kenya also got me dreaming of emulating them one day and that started my journey in competitive cricket from the age of 13 to 19.

In these years, I started out with the 2nd division team, then to the 1st division team and then eventually came through the ranks to represent my club side (Mombasa Jaffery Sports Club) in the Coast Cricket Association League and towards the end I was picked for the Coast Cricket Association touring squad to Seychelles in 2004 for a triangular tournament involving Mauritius and hosts Seychelles which we ended up winning. Along the way, I became the youngest player (15) to score a century in the CCA League (which made a regular name in the local weekly newspaper and the national newspaper a couple times), captained the club side and also made it to the try outs for the Kenya Under ’19′ team that was to play qualification games for the 2004 “Under 19″ World Cup in Bangladesh.

Then of course came the decision to keep cricket a hobby and I then moved to Canada, where I am currently pursuing my further studies in Toronto. Looking back, was it not for my dad and Aasif Uncle and their constant guidance, I would have not enjoyed my cricketing days and played at the various domestic levels I did, or I may not have taken up the sport at all!

Thank you Aasif Uncle, for everything including the jerseys:-) …I still get the thrill and goosebumps every time I put on the 1999 World Cup captain’s jersey! See you soon…

P.S.: Go Man Utd Go!