Former Pakistan Hockey Olympian, Munir Ahmad Dar, passes away
Munir Ahmad Dar, the former Pakistan hockey Olympian and a great intellectual of hockey, passed away at the age of 76, in Lahore yesterday. He had been suffering from lung cancer, for last six months.
Munir Dar was one of those few legends of Pakistan Hockey, who played a vital and central role to bring Pakistan hockey to such a glory and to rule over the world for so many years. Dar represented Pakistan hockey in late 50’s and 60’s. He had been the part
of Pakistan team, who won the gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Italy. He was also the part of team in 1956 and 1964 Olympics, where the national team won the silver medal.
He also was the founder of a hockey academy, which he established in the memory of his brother, late Tanvir Dar, and currently one of his sons is running it.
Besides his services for the game of hockey, he also contributed a lot to other sports. He had served All Pakistan Jockey Club as its president and was also an executive committee member of Pakistan Rugby Union. Dar also had a long affiliation with the Pakistan
Karate Federation and remained its President for a number of years.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and Punjab Olympic Association (POA) paid their condolences at this fatal loss for sports in Pakistan. Qasim Zia, PHF President, and Asif Bajwa, Secretary of PHF, attributed his priceless role and involvement in the development
of sports in the country, especially in hockey.
“Dar was a genius, intellectual and mastermind of hockey, who always guided PHF with his valuable suggestions,” both of the PHF officials stated on his death.
A large number of people, who belonged from different walks of life, attended the funeral of late Munir Dar before he was laid to rest in the Defence graveyard. These included PHF President Qasim Zia, PHF secretary Asif Bajwa, Khawaja Zakauddin, Akhtar Rasool,
Olympian Rana Mujahid, Ex PHF secretaries Colonel (retd) Mudassar and Brigadier (retd) Mussaratullah Khan, former international player Qasim Khan and also his colleagues from Punjab Police, as he also served the police department and retired from the rank
of DIG.
He left behind three sons and a widow. May Allah rest his soul in peace.
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