THE Olympic Games, a symbol of global unity and athletic excellence, have been a stage for countless stories of triumph and determination. For Pakistan, the journey through the Olympics has been marked by moments of glory, challenges and an ongoing quest to reclaim its lost stature in the world of sports.
Pakistan made its Olympic debut in 1948, a year after coming into existence. The early years were promising, particularly in the field of hockey which soon became the nation’s forte. Pakistan’s hockey team secured its first Olympic gold medal in 1960 at the Rome Olympics, a victory that resonated across the country and established Pakistan as a powerhouse in the sport. This success was not an isolated incident; it was followed by another gold medal in 1968 in Mexico City and yet another in 1984 in Los Angeles. These victories in hockey, along with silver medals in 1956 and 1964 and a bronze in 1976, painted a picture of a nation thriving in the Olympic arena.
During these golden years, legends like Sami Ullah, famously known as the “Flying Horse,” Kaleem Ullah, Manzoor Junior, Hassan Sardar, Akhtar Rasool, Shahbaz Ahmed, Sohail Abbas, Shahnaz Sheikh, Mansoor Ahmed and Hanif Khan graced the field. Their skill, speed, and strategy were unmatched, making Pakistan’s hockey team a force to be reckoned with. These players were household names and their matches were eagerly anticipated events. Pakistani fans would stay up late at night to watch hockey matches telecast/broadcast via satellite by PTV and Radio Pakistan cheering for their heroes with........