Aarish Bilal/Srinagar

Sajjad Hussain Malik’s story is of a quintessential village boy who worked hard and availed of opportunities to bring glory to the nation, his family and changed his life. Whether it was his earlier role as an Indian Volleyball player, and the coach for the national team or his today’s avatar as the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) in Jammu and Kashmir Police, Sajjad Malik has made sure to play his roles well and in the interests of his country.

Hailing from the wind-swept village Neel, Banihal, located in the Jammu region, Malik is a former International player and National Men's Volleyball coach. He has recently been promoted as DySP in J&K Police where he was recruited as Inspector in 1998.

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Sajjad is the eldest son of Zareena Begum and Abdul Rehman. He studied up to class 12th in the local school and joined Jammu’s GGM Science College for graduation in 1996.

Sajjad said he started playing Volleyball in the village from the 10th standard and continued playing at the college and state levels. He was selected for the national team and played all over the world as an Indian player.

“My father inspired me to choose Volleyball as my career. He arranged training for me and ensured that I received coaching at all levels and that is the reason, I achieved all goals in my career,” said Sajjad. 

He also recalled the contribution of his Volleyball Coach Rattan Chand, the Volleyball Association of J&K, and the Police Department to his success.

Sajjad coached Calicut Heroes in 2018 and Ahmedabad Defenders in 2022. Under his Coaching, Ahmedabad Defenders ended as runners-up in Pro Volleyball League India. He previously Coached Jammu and Kashmir State Team, Jammu and Kashmir Police Senior Team, and was the Coaching Staff of the Indian National Volleyball Team. He has been imparting coaching since 2005 and is an FIVB Level 1 and Level 2 coach. He was also the captain of the J&K state volleyball team

Sajjad had qualified for N.I.S (Patiala) Level-I and Level-II Coaching Courses at FIVB Centre Chennai and was deputed as a coach for the Indian Volleyball team in 2010 and 2012 for an international event held in Iran. He was also the coach of the Indian Volleyball team in the International Invitational Tournament which was held in Tunisia in 2012 and 2013. He is also the Head Coach of the J&K Police Volleyball team.

Sajjad also represented India as Coach in Junior World Volleyball Championship in Turkey in 2013. 

He was also the coach of the Indian Junior Volleyball team at Bahrain in 2014.