Hockey legend Mansoor Ahmed laid to rest in Karachi

KARACHI - Pakistan's World Cup-winning hockey goalkeeper and Olympian Mansoor Ahmed was laid to rest in Karachi’s Defence phase 1 graveyard on Sunday.

The legendary player’s funeral was attended by former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi, Mutahhida Quomi Movememt-Pakistan leader Amir Khan, former teammates, and Olympians Hanif Khan, Shahid Ali, Nasir Ali. However, no government officials were in attendance.

Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa's condolence:

https://twitter.com/OfficialDGISPR/status/995614910980722688

Mansoor Ahmed passed away in Karachi on Saturday due to prolonged ailment.

The 49-year-old had been suffering from heart-related issues for the past three years and was undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease in Karachi for weeks from complications stemming from a pacemaker and stents implanted in his heart.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/sports/hockey-legend-mansoor-ahmed-in-precarious-condition-at-karachi-hospital/

The government of Pakistan had reportedly offered Ahmed a mechanical heart transplantation which, had he accepted, would have been the first time the procedure was to be conducted in Pakistan.

However, the hockey legend had wanted a more conventional and proven procedure, for which he had wanted to go to India and had thus refused the offer.

Mansoor represented Pakistan in 338 international matches. He took part in three Olympics, winning a bronze medal in 1992.

He was considered one of the greatest talents to represent Pakistan’s hockey during the country’s Golden era in the 80s.

He helped the country win the 1994 World Cup in Sydney with his penalty stroke save against the Netherlands in the final.

https://twitter.com/taimoorze/status/995275273145929728

During his career that lasted over a decade, Mansoor bagged 12 gold, 12 bronze and 8 silver medals, making him one of the most decorated hockey stars in the country.

In addition to being named the world's best goalkeeper on four occasions, Ahmed was bestowed with a presidential award in 1988 and the Pride of Performance in 1994.