Pakistan’s armed forces have made notable contributions to all spheres of the nation’s life. And sports are no exception. In fact, sporting activity is a part of the soldier’s life, primarily as a tool for physical fitness. In addition, sports impart discipline, a vital part of military training to help build individual character and a cohesive team.

One sport which brought laurels to Pakistan at all levels is hockey -- the country’s national game.

Hockey arguably touches all the aspects of military training, not merely physical fitness. This sport demands strategy formation both in attack and defence akin to battle planning.

Similarly, the team has to know the strong and weak points of the opponents in the manner required in the war. The elements of surprise and deception are common to both.  In battles, many a time sheer individual bravery changes the fortunes of an army. In hockey, so often flashes of individual brilliance make all the difference. Pakistan army has made a great contribution to the country’s national game throughout. It has not only provided quality players but also good administrators. Unlike other disciplines, where mostly non-officers or jawans have excelled, in hockey, all ranks of Pak Army have contributed.

The very first name that strikes one’s mind is that of Colonel Ali Iqtidar Shah (AIS) Dara, a great forward who played right in/centre forward. Dara got selected for the United India in the last Olympics before the partition of India, in 1936. Initially Dara wasn’t spared by the army for the Olympics. Before the final against the hosts Germany, SOS was sent to India calling for Dara by the captain of the Indian team, the legendary Dhyan Chand. India had lost to Germany in a practice match on the eve of the Olympics so there was anxiety in the Indian camp before the final. Dara lived up to his captain’s expectations. In front of a full house, Dara inspired the Indian team to run over the Germans in the final, emerging victorious by eight goals to one. His own share was three goals.

After the Berlin Olympics, there was a long gap in Dara’s international career because of Hitler’s World War.

When Dara competed in the Olympics for the second time, in 1948, it was in the colours of Pakistan. He achieved many firsts for the new nation: Pakistan’s first hockey captain and also the scorer of the country’s first international goal.

He managed to score nine goals at the 1948 Olympics where Pakistan were unlucky not to get a medal, finishing fourth.

After his playing days were over, Dara guided the new nation to glorious heights in hockey. He was the coach of the team which won Pakistan’s first ever Olympic medal in any sport -- a silver at the 1956 Olympics, and then he managed the national side to the biggest prize of all -- gold at the 1960 Olympics.

Through his great diplomatic skills, Dara created a niche for himself at the FIH (International Hockey Federation). He became the vice president of the FIH, a post he held till his death in 1981.

Dara played a great role in the introduction and subsequent success of such mega international events as the World Cup, Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup.

When Dara last played international hockey, at the 1948 Olympics, a youngster by the name of Abdul Hameed was making his debut.  Better known as Brigadier Hameedi, he carved out a permanent place in Pakistan’s sporting folklore. He was part of the teams at ’48 and ’52 Olympics (Pakistan ended fourth each time).

After becoming captain, Hameedi built a winning squad based on discipline, team spirit and hard work. Under him, Pakistan won a silver medal in the 1956 Olympics, gold in the 1958 Asian Games and the nation’s first-ever Olympic gold in 1960. Hameedi’s second innings was in the role of the national team’s manager. He managed Pakistan to Asian Games’ silver and gold in 1966 and 1970, respectively. When the Pakistan team of the ’72 Olympics got banned as a result of ill-discipline at the victory ceremony, Hameedi was able to manage a second string Paksitan side to fourth position in the 1973 World Cup.

In his last innings, Hameedi served as the secretary of the PHF from 1989-1993. At that juncture, Pakistan hockey’s fortunes were at the lowest ebb. They had had their worst placing at the World Cup (11th in 1986) and the Olympics (fifth in 1988). Hameedi’s tenure saw a revival. Pakistan finished second in the 1990 World Cup and third in the 1992 Olympics. The Asian Games title was also regained in 1990.

Another military man, more or less a contemporary of Brig Hameedi during his playing days, arguably has had the greatest contribution towards Pakistan hockey, more than any other individual. Internationally as well, he attained a stature no one from the Asian continent has ever had. He is none other than Brig M H Atif, whose association with the game as player, manager, organiser and top office bearer (in national, continental and world bodies of hockey) spanned more than half a century.

One of Pakistan’s finest left full backs, Atif is one of the only two Pakistanis to appear in four Olympics (1952-64) -- captaining the side in 1964.

As the manager of the national team, Atif has the unique distinction of mentoring the Pakistan team to three global titles -- the 1968 and the 1984 Olympics and the 1982 World Cup.

He served as PHF secretary for a decade till early 1989. In that position, he played a stellar role in uplifting hockey infrastructure in the country.

He was reappointed as the secretary PHF in 1999 and Pakistan hockey showed immediate resurgence. But his conflicts with the then PHF president, Arif Ali Abbasi, led to his resignation after only one year in the office.

The man remained associated with the FIH and the Asian Hockey Federation at the highest level for a long time.

At the FIH, he served as the Senior Vice President, a member of the Executive Committee and Chairman of the Hockey Rules Board.

Among  the ‘non-officers’ one outstanding player was the great outside right Noor Alam, an important member of Pakistani teams which won golds at the 1958 Asiad, ’60 Olympics and ’62 Asiad.

It was Noor Alam’s cross which enabled Naseer Bunda to score that epoch-making goal in the 1960 Olympics final against India.

Honorary Captain Bashir was also a full back of the victorious teams of the 1960 Olympics and the 1962 Asiad. Bashir was a reserve at the 1960 Olympics when Pakistan’s regular right full back Muneer Dar got unfit in the last pool match.  Bashir was inducted. He performed so well in the quarter-final and the semi-final that skipper Hameedi retained Bashir for the final although Muneer had declared himself fit for the final.

Another soldier who made an indelible mark on our hockey history was Zakir Hussain, widely regarded as the first outstanding goalkeeper of Pakistan. His is a fascinating and at the same time a poignant tale. A member of the 1956 Olympic (silver medal) and 1958 Asiad (gold medal) teams, Zakir missed the 1960 Olympics only to return as the number one net minder of the 1962 victorious team of the Asiad. Thereafter, he was sent into oblivion. While saving a goal, Zakir received a forceful hit on his chest. After a preliminary medical checkup and investigations, he was declared unfit. Zakir quit hockey and went to his home.

When Brig Atif assumed the managership of the national team in 1967, he couldn’t find a dependable goalkeeper. Atif brought Zakir back. As Zakir had been out of touch with hockey for almost half a decade, Atif paid special attention to his fitness and training. Zakir fully came up to his benefactor’s expectations. His display under the bar was one of the main factors in Pakistan’s triumphant journey at the 1968 Olympics.

The first army person to become the president of the PHF was General Mohammad Musa in the mid-sixties. Next was Lt General K M Azhar whose tenure saw Pakistan winning the inaugural World Cup in 1971. Air Marshal Nur Khan had two tenures as the PHF president. In his first stint, 1967-69, Pakistan won the 1968 Olympic gold. During the second tenure, 1976-1984, Pakistan hockey achieved magnificent victories: World Cups in 1978 and 1982 as well as the Olympics 1984. Pakistan were also the favourites for the 1980 Olympics in Moscow but they boycotted the games along with many other countries. It was Nur Khan who floated the idea of the Hockey World Cup and got it approved by the FIH.

Another Air Force man played a major role in reviving Pakistan’s hockey fortunes after a long lapse. Air Vice Marshal Farooq Umar remained the PHF president from 1993-96. He was a man of vision and took an unprecedented action, unthinkable at that time -- engaging a foreign coach for Pakistan’s national team.

The fabled Dutch coach Hans Jorritsma who had guided the Netherlands to victory in the 1990 World Cup was hired for Pakistan’s national team.

Result: Pakistan won the Champions Trophy after a gap of 16 years, and in the same year regained the World Cup after 12 years.

Currently, Brigadier (rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar is the president of the PHF.