A file photo of the late Mansoor Ahmed.
DOHA: Former Pakistan captain Shahbaz Ahmed has termed Mansoor Ahmed’s untimely death as a huge loss for field hockey as condolences continued to pour in for the man who helped Pakistan clinch the 1994 World Cup in Sydney.
The retired goalkeeper, 49, passed away in Karachi on Saturday after suffering for weeks from complications stemming from a pacemaker and stents implanted in his heart.
Mansoor was a Pakistani sporting icon since helping the country win their last World Cup title win in 1994 with his stunning saves against the Netherlands in the final.
He played a total of 338 international matches and also featured in three Olympics and various other high-profile events in a career spanning from 1986 to 2000.
“Mansoor was not an ordinary player. He truly was one of the great goalkeepers the game has ever produced,” Shahbaz, who led Pakistan to the famous 1994 triumph, said in an interview.
“We played together for many years. For the first three years, we played together in the junior team and after that we were team-mates in the national team for over 12 years.
“He was a great guy both as a person and a player,” said the legendary forward, who was also famous as ‘The Man With The Electric Heels’.
While Shahbaz was leading the side, late Mansoor was serving as his deputy in Australia during the 1994 World Cup.
Hockey remains Pakistan’s national sport with the national team winning World Cup in 1971 (Barcelona), 1978 (Buenos Aires), 1982 (Mumbai) and 1994 (Sydney).
A powerhouse in field hockey, Pakistan have also won three gold medals at the Olympic Games in 1960 (Rome), 1968 (Mexico City) and 1984 (Los Angeles).
Pakistan’s Sohail Abbas is the highest goal scorer in the history of field hockey with his overall goal tally at 348.
Pakistan won the 1994 World Cup after a roller-coaster ride which saw them defeating Germany and the Netherlands in the semi-final and final respectively on penalty strokes.
“The semi-final and final were very close games and had to be decided on the penalty strokes. We won the semi-final (5-3) and final (4-3), which means it was Mansoor only who gave us the memorable victory,” Shahbaz said in the video message posted on social media.
“Especially Mansoor’s last penalty save against (Dutchman) Jeroen Delmee in the final was something we cannot forget. Mansoor always served Pakistan with his full energy and his services for the country would be remembered forever,” he added.
“I am heartbroken on his demise like the rest of Pakistan and I pray Allah may his soul rest in peace and his family get the patience to bear this irreparable loss.”
Another former player and Mansoor’s long-time roommate Rana Mujahid said: “Mansoor’s services for country’s hockey are second to none. We won the last two major tournament because of Mansoor.”
Former players Anjum Saeed, Khalid Bashir and Khawaja Junaid also were grieved and shocked over the sad demise.
Former Pakistan tennis star Hameedul Haq who had a close association with the deceased said Mansoor was a legend.
“I never have seen such a brilliant hockey goalkeeper. I pray to Almighty to rest his soul in peace. Indeed his services would be remembered forever.”
