LAHORE: Former hockey Olympian Naveed Alam, a member of the Pakistan’s World Cup and Champions Trophy winning teams in 1994, died of blood cancer on Tuesday, a day after he was admitted to a hospital for treatment. He was 48.

Naveed had arrived in Lahore from his native Sheikhupura on Sunday after being diagnosed with blood cancer. He was initially admitted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital as he was suffering from fever before he was transferred to Shaukat Khanum Hospital after his condition deteriorated.

He received chemotherapy on Monday night and his condition stabilized before he suffered a heavy cardiac arrest and passed away, leaving behind a wife, two daughters and two sons.

Naveed, born on July 7, 1973, had also coached China and Bangladesh hockey teams besides also being Pakistan coach at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The former full-back was also elected as Punjab Hockey Association secretary and was also an individual member of the Pakistan Olympic Association general council.

A few days back, he’d informed Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Asif Bajwa about his disease and he also said that he might not be in a position to talk with anyone directly. He and Asif, along with Shahbaz Senior, Tahir Zaman and Danish Kaleem, were close friends having played for Pakistan together for nearly a decade.

“I created a WhatsApp group in which all members of the 1994 World Cup winning squad were included so we could contribute towards his treatment and we all had agreed to donate Rs100,000 each but unfortunately he left us,” Asif told Dawn. “He was a close friend and we had a good time together during our playing careers and after we retired.

Shahbaz said Naveed was a “fighter and his role in the World Cup victory could not be forgotten by anyone”.

National Junior team coach Danish also remembered the good days he spent with Naveed and said “it was a great loss for hockey in the country”.

Another Olympian, former PHF secretary retired Col. Mudassar Asghar, also offered their condolences.

Asif, Danish and several other members of the hockey fraternity travelled to Sheikhupura to attend Naveed’s funeral, which was being held on Tuesday night.

The PHF, POA, Punjab sports minister Rai Taimur Bhatti, Director General Sports Board Punjab Adnan Arshad and Punjab Olympic Association secretary Idris Haider Khawaja also condoled the sad demise of Naveed.

AGENCIES ADD: Former hockey captain and Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui condoled the sad demise of Naveed saying it is a big loss for the country.

“I am really shocked and sad at Naveed’s untimely death. It was just two days that I spoke to him in hospital and he was in high spirits like always. He was a good friend and a very talented junior with whom I travelled a lot as coach,” said Islah in his video message.

“Naveed was a part of the 1994 World Cup-winning team and was a fighter on the field who always gave tough time to the opponents. May Allah bless his soul and give his family the strength to bear this irreparable loss,” concluded Islah.

Meanwhile, National Bank of Pakistan Sports Department wing head and former players of national hockey team Arshad Hussain, Anwar Farooqi, Azmatullah Khan, Arif Bhopali and Zeeshan Ashraf expressed their deep condolence on the untimely death of World Cup hero Naveed. Arshad in his condolence statement said: “Naveed was a very good player and and good friend and his untimely demise has saddened us.”

Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination Dr Fehmida Mirza and director general of the Pakistan Sports Board retired Col Asif Zaman also expressed their deep grief.

“Naveed’s services for the promotion of hockey would always be remembered,” they said.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar also expressed his deep sorrow over the demise of Naveed.

The Pakistan Cricket Board expressed grief over the demise. The PCB also offered its sincerest condolence to the family members and friends of the legendary Olympian.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2021