Olympian Rasheedul Hassan to address the nation
By Ijaz Ahmad Khan
TORONTO: The living legend Olympian Rasheedul Hassan is going to hold an important and decisive press conference in his hometown of Gojra, a place known for playing a key role in producing hockey stars, on the occasion of the historic day of August 11, 2025 — when Pakistan won its last gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
“Thing almost done, all arrangement have been made for the holding the press conference with the aim to rescue the glorious past of hockey Pakistan’s has with thanks to many of the legendary hockey stars who joined hands and extended support to me,” a soft spoken Rasheedul Hassan told this reporter on phone.
This day is also of great personal importance for Olympian Rasheedul Hassan, as he himself was a key member of the winning team that won the gold medal for Pakistan at the 1984 Olympics.
Now, on the same day, Rasheedul Hassan took a key decision to raise the flag of rebellion against the elements responsible for the destruction of Pakistan hockey and the hockey mafia, who did nothing but just make money out of it rather promoting hockey and players associated with the game across Pakistan.
This press conference is not just a protest, but the beginning of a new movement to revive Pakistan hockey, Rasheedul Hassan said. This voice of Olympian Rasheedul Hassan, rising from Gojra, will be representative of all hockey legends who through their messages extended support to him.
Everyone is aware of the face that Pakistan Hockey Federation — a gold mine for corrupt elements, this is the place where anyone can become a millionaire in just one year. That is why people like Asif Bajwa, Shahbaz Senior, and Rana Mujahid, despite corruption cases, are waiting for the third time after taking two turns. The situation of hockey is that it was once number one in the world where in winning three gold medals in Olympics, four World Cup titles, the only country that has such credential, is lacking to reach even in the top three slots.
Today Pakistan has reached the seventeenth position — but the properties, cars, and bank balances of all these gentlemen have gone into millions and millions. Now Tariq Bugti is also busy increasing his bank balance in the name of “reviving hockey”, a joke that everyone listening and that was certainly the turning point where the legendary hockey stars decided to come up and rescue Pakistan’s hockey.
The real revival is only happening in accounts — hockey’s funeral is long overdue! “A blind man’s hand is like a quail” — A complete picture of a bitter truth this proverb is true word for word for some people in the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
No ability, no vision, no service record — but still big positions, big tours, and TA/DA worth millions of rupees while on the other hands, the main pillars like players, coaches, and hard workers youngsters are wandering around, while incompetent and flattering people are enjoying positions just on the strength of flattery. This is the “quail in the blind hands” — where neither merit nor character is seen, only relationships, flattery, and politics of interests. Such people are not only destroying hockey, but also selling national prestige.
When contacted, Olympian Ayaz Mahmood, (Gold Medalist, 1984 Los Angeles Olympics), he said:
“The entire team of gold medalists, the architect of the victory of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, stands by their great colleague and national hero Olympian Rashidul Hasan. We, all the players of the 1984 gold medalist team, are united and fully supporting Rashidul Hasan in this struggle to revive Pakistan hockey.
His historic press conference in Gojra on August 11, 2025, is not just an event — it is a declaration of rebellion against the corrupt mafia and the beginning of a war for the survival of Pakistan hockey. It is the challenge of every player, every father, every mother, every fan and every patriotic Pakistani who dreams of seeing their national game once again and the Pakistani flag on the world of hockey.
We cannot remain spectators any longer. It is time to tear through the darkness of corruption, expose the incompetent clique and restore hockey to its lost glory. The entire 1984 gold medalist team are with Olympian Rasheedul Hassan.”
In his message Hassan Sardar, 1984 Los Angeles Olympics gold medalist and former captain of the Pakistan hockey team, fully supports his colleague Rasheedul Hassan in his sincere struggle to revive Pakistan hockey and fight against the ongoing mismanagement in the federation.
Today, Pakistan hockey is in decline — and the main reason for this is the continuous failed policies, corruption, and poor administrative decisions of the current Pakistan Hockey Federation.
The President of the federation and other top officials have completely been failed. There is no vision, no system, no facilities for the players, no improvement on the ground. Giving such a federation more time is an injustice to Pakistan hockey. I demand that the current federation resign immediately — and a new, non-political, talented, and professional team be entrusted with the responsibility of Pakistan hockey, which will work sincerely and take Pakistan to the stage of victory once again. Rasheedul Hasan’s fight is not one man’s — it is the voice of all of us Olympians, players, parents, and lovers of Pakistan hockey.
In his message Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh extended full support to hockey legendary Rasheedul Hassan. “I, Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh, fully support my colleague and national hero Olympian Rasheedul Hassan’s historic press conference in Gojra on August 11 and his mission to revive Pakistan hockey. This is not just the voice of Olympian Rasheedul Hassan — this is the voice of every player, every fan, and every Pakistani who wants to see their national game rise again. We can no longer remain silent. It is time to bring Pakistan hockey out of the darkness of corruption and incompetence. Olympian Rasheedul Hassan is fighting for truth and revival — and I stand by him.”
In his message, Olympian Syed Moinuddin (Gold Medalist Olympics 1984) has also announced his full support to Olympian Rashidul Hasan’s and termed the press conference is a tool to highlight the corruption in the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
“This is not the voice of one person, but of the entire nation. Those who destroyed hockey must answerable, he said, adding, “I stand with Rasheedul Hasan.”
With the revival and truth of Pakistan hockey, the real heroes of the nation have now come to the field and would fight jointly to send back home all the corrupt elements currently associated with hockey in Pakistan.”
Rasheedul Hassan is a renowned Pakistani hockey player, celebrated for his numerous gold medals and contributions to Pakistan’s national team. He is often referred to as “The Golden Player”. He achieved significant success, including winning gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the 1982 World Cup, and the 1982 and 1985 Asia Cups. He also played a key role in Pakistan’s victory at the 1979 Junior World Cup.
Rasheedul Hassan has the honor of winning gold medals in all major hockey tournaments, including the World Cup (1982), Olympics (1984), Asian Games (1982), Asia Cup (1982 & 1985), and Junior World Cup (1979).
Rasheedul Hassan started playing for PIA’s team in 1975 after being spotted by their sports department and later on he joined Customs and retired in 2019 after a long career. He has been actively involved in promoting hockey in his hometown of Gojra, where he established the Rasheedul Hassan Hockey Academy in 2009, providing training and equipment to young players.
In 2022, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) banned him for ten years, allegedly for criticizing the decline of hockey in Pakistan on social media, including comments about Prime Minister Imran Khan. Rasheedul Hassan denied using offensive language and challenged the ban, demanding an apology, lifting of the ban, and damages.
Despite the controversy, Rasheedul Hassan is remembered as a legend and a national hero for his contributions to Pakistan hockey.
Edited By Sumayya Ahmad (Reporter/Editor)
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