LAHORE   -   Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has condoled the death of former hockey legend Abdul Waheed Khan, the first Pakistani to win a gold medal at the Olympics in Rome back in 1960.

The former hokey ace died today on Monday in Karachi at the age of 85. PHF President Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, Secretary Asif Bajwa and entire hockey fraternity expressed their heartfelt condolences with the member of the bereaved family. They showered praise on the services rendered by late former hockey Olympian for the cause of the game.

The late Olympian, born on 30 November 1936 in Rajpur Madhya Pradesh, India, also served as manager of Pakistan hockey team. He also earned gold during Jakarta Olympics. During his playing career, he mostly played as a center forward and was quite prolific. He also holds the record of scoring 17 goals in the 1962 Asian Games including a double hat-trick. He was member of the team, which won a silver medal at the 1966 Bangkok Asian Games.

However, his biggest achievement came in 1960 when he won a gold medal in hockey during the Rome Olympics in 1960. He was the first Pakistani to score in the final game in Rome 1960 Olympics. PHF officials prayed to Allah Almighty that the departed soul may rest in eternal peace and grant courage to bereaved family members to bear this loss with fortitude.

Meanwhile, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti has expressed profound grief on the sad demise of Olympian Abdul Waheed Khan. In a condolence message, Rai Taimoor said: “Legendary Olympian Waheed Khan was an asset to the country. His services for Pakistan’s hockey will be remembered for a long time.”