Pak hockey officials grieved by Shahid’s death

KARACHI: President Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Brig (Rtd) Khalid Khokhar and secretary Shahbaz Ahmad expressed great grief over the death of former Indian captain Mohammad Shahid.

Shahid was one of India’s best forwards, known around the world for his speed and dribbling skills. He was a member of the Indian team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.

He got the Arjuna Award in 1980-1981 and Padma Shri in 1986. He also won silver at the 1982 Asian Games and bronze at the 1986 Asian Games. Shahid captained India in 1985-86.

“Shahid had an art which I saw in very few players. We played together in the Asian All-Star team in the first Intercontinental tournament,” said Shahbaz. Pakistan’s former captain Samiullah said that Shahid was one of the best forwards of his time. Samiullah said that in Shahid and Zafar Iqbal, India had a very good combination of forwards which played an important role in India’s successes.