Olympian Rashidul Hassan
By Ijaz Ahmad Khan
GOJRA: The legendary Olympian of Pakistan Hockey, Rasheedul Hassan called the nation to come and rescue glorious days of Pakistan’s hockey and should get rid of the present mafia so that the detailed hockey should be bringing back on track again.
The announcement in this connection he made during a historical press conference in his hometown Gojra, a city famous for producing world class hockey player. Rasheedul Hassan also expressing deep concern over the current state of Pakistan Hockey where the hockey mafia looted millions instead of serving the hockey and players associated with it.
Rasheedul Hasan said that August 11 is a golden day in the history of Pakistan Hockey, when in 1984, Pakistan won the gold medal in the Los Angeles Olympics and showed the world that our sport is unparalleled in the world.
However, today, hockey is in a serious decline for more than two decades, where it could neither qualify for the Olympic nor win any other medals. He strongly exposed the corruption of several former and current officials of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, including Shahbaz Ahmed, Asif Bajwa, Rana Mujahid and Tariq Bugti, saying that their personal interests have brought the national game to the brink of destruction. The players are deprived of basic facilities, while a few members of the federation are living a luxurious life.
Rasheedul Hassan announced that he would return his honorary membership given by the International Olympic Committee in protest and gave the federation a three-month ultimatum that if the players’ dues were not paid immediately, he would be forced to auction his 1984 gold medal in the global market and use the money to immediately pay the dues of young players.
He appealed to the government of Pakistan, especially Field Marshal Asim Munir, to hold this crumbling system accountable and bring honest and professional people to Pakistan Hockey so that our national game can regain its original glory.
Rasheedul Hassan stressed that this struggle is not just his but the entire nation’s, and he expressed his determination to revive Pakistan hockey by joining hands with all the 1984 gold medalists. His message is for every citizen of Pakistan who loves hockey: “Come, step up, save Pakistan hockey, make Pakistan proud!
The living legend Olympian Rashidul Hasan said: “This day is also of great personal importance for Pakistan hockey and now, on the same day, I 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.
To revive Pakistan hockey, Rasheed Ul Hassan said: “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, he added, 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.
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, he said.
While paying tribute to the gold medalists legends of 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Gold Medalist Pakistan Hockey Team, Tahir A. Rana told this reporter here in Toronto termed the day “August 11, 1984 — A day in Pakistan’s history that is written in golden letters.
He said, this day Pakistan Hockey Team defeated the world at the Los Angeles Olympics and won its last Olympic Gold Medal. Our green crescent heroes stood proudly on the Olympic Victory Stand, a shining gold medal in their hands, the national anthem resounding in the air, and the flag of Pakistan waving above. At that moment, he said, every Pakistani’s heart was beating with joy and pride, there were tears in their eyes, but those tears were of victory, of honor, of Pakistan.
Under the brilliant leadership of the legend Manzoor Junior, Pakistan achieved such dominance on the field that even the best opponents in the world were helpless before our skill, discipline and passion. This success was not just a match win but a golden chapter in our national history that made Pakistan’s name known all over the world. I made him the king of hockey, he added.
These players, he said, were not just players — these were the legends of Pakistan hockey who dedicated their youth, their hard work, and even their lives to the name of the country. They did not just win gold medals but also raised the flag of Pakistan to a height in the world of hockey that every nation dreams of reaching, he remarked.
Today we salute these heroes — who are still among us, we respect them, and for those who have passed away, we pray that Allah may raise their ranks. This game is not just a game — it is our identity, our pride and our national honor. If today we bring back the same honesty, unity and passion in our hockey, then no power can stop Pakistan from raising its flag on the biggest stage of the world once again.
Tahir A. Rana, a dedicated and committed worker to Pakistan hockey paid tribute to these great legends who raised the flag of Pakistan in the world of hockey and set a precedent for our future generations.
Edited by Sumayah Ahmad
Reporter/Editor
www:sportslinehd.com
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