23 March 2004	Tuesday	01 Safar 1425

KARACHI, March 22: Former Pakistan legendary football captain Mohammad Omar Baloch passed away after a protracted illness on Monday. He was 69.

The flamboyant striker, who skippered the national side for four years, started playing soccer as Karachi-based Qadri Sports goalkeeper.

Born in shanty Lyari area of Karachi in 1935, Omar represented Pakistan team for almost 13 years. After participating in 1958 Tokyo Games, he played a series in Burma in 1959 before facing India, Iran and Israel at Asia Cup the same year.

Omar later became a mercurial centre-forward and was dubbed "Black Horse" by the foreigners, while he was known as "Asian Pele" at home for his footballing tricks that mesmerised his fans throughout his career.

Omar, a Pride of Performance Award winner, was also a member of prestigious Dhaka Mohammadan and Mohammad Sporting Club in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and also played professional league for Wanderers in Dhaka.

He also represented Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board and served as chairman of the national selection committee. The striker broke his hip bone some one and half years ago and was hospitalised since then.

Like other former football stars, Omar too got cold shoulder from government as concerned officials did not provide him any financial support. He has left behind six sons, three daughters and a window to mourn his death. He was buried at Mewa Shah graveyard Monday evening.