KARACHI: Abdul Saeed Khan, the former Sindh and Karachi colour holder in hockey, died at a local hospital on Sunday morning after brief illness, family sources said. He was 53.

The deceased was the younger brother of noted former Olympian Hanif Khan and uncle of reputed penalty corner striker Haseem Khan.

He is survived by a widow, a married daughter, two hockey playing sons Fahad Khan and Fazeel Khan. Fahad plays for the National Bank of Pakistan while Fazeel represents Karachi Development Authority.

He was laid to rest at the Yaseenabad graveyard in the afternoon. His funeral was largely attended by hockey players, organisers and relatives among others.

Saeed had served Karachi Electric on sports basis and remained a member of their hockey team as right winger for many years. He took a golden handshake a few years a go.

According to sources, the deceased who was admitted to a local hospital two days ago, went into coma after his body organs, with the exception of heart, were badly damaged due to a clot in the stomach.

His soyem will be held at Usman Ghani mosque in Gulshan Iqbal, Block 9, on Tuesday after Asr prayers.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Hockey Federation president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, secretary Shahbaz Ahmed, former Olympians Manzoor-ul-Hasan and Samiullah, secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa hockey association Zahir Shah have condoled Saeed’s death.

In separate telephone calls, they offered their condolences to Hanif and prayed to Allah to give the soul rest in peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear the loss.

The Karachi Hockey Association (KHA) also condoled the sudden demise of Saeed.

Published in Dawn, February 26th, 2018