KARACHI: Celebrated Olympian Abdul Waheed Khan was 25-year-old when Pakistan hockey team scooped their maiden gold at the Rome Olympics in 1960.

Strangely, it took government over five decades, 54-years to be precise, to acknowledge the feat by announcing civilian award, Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, the other day.

The 79-year-old former spearhead is among the three hockey stalwarts of yore — all Rome Olympic gold medallist — full back Munir Dar and centre half Anwar Ahmed Khan (both posthumous) being the other two.

Waheed also had the honour of scoring 17 of the Pakistan’s 33 goals at the 1962 Jakarta Asian Games and his record is still intact.

Another record held in his name is that Pakistan completed a hat-trick of titles — Buenos Aires World Cup, inaugural Champions Trophy at Lahore and Asian Games at Bangkok in 1978 under his manager ship.

Waheed, who retired as Assistant Collector of Customs (Preventive) in 1994, also managed victorious Pakistan hockey team in the inaugural Asia Cup at Dhaka in 1985.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2014