Former Pakistan hockey Olympian Khawaja Zakauddin dies at 90

Former Pakistan hockey player and Olympian Khawaja Zakauddin has died at the age of 90, according to his family.

LAHORE: Former Pakistan hockey player and Olympian Khawaja Zakauddin has died at the age of 90, according to his family.

The former international hockey player passed away in Rome, Italy, where he had been residing. His death was confirmed by his son-in-law, former Pakistan hockey Olympian Tauqeer Dar, who shared details about Zakauddin’s career and his contribution to Pakistan hockey.

Zakauddin was born on October 27, 1936, in Jalandhar, in present-day Indian Punjab. He went on to represent Pakistan at the international level and became part of the country’s hockey history during an era when Pakistan was establishing itself as one of the leading teams in international hockey.

According to Tauqeer Dar, Zakauddin was a member of the Pakistan hockey team that won the gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, Italy. The Olympic title was an important achievement for Pakistan hockey and added to the country’s early success on the international stage.

Zakauddin represented Pakistan in 56 international hockey matches between 1958 and 1966. During his international career, he competed against some of the leading hockey teams of the period and remained associated with the national side for several years.

His international career spanned a period in which hockey enjoyed significant popularity in Pakistan and was one of the country’s most successful sports. Players who represented Pakistan during that era were part of teams that achieved major international results and helped establish the country’s reputation in world hockey.

Zakauddin’s participation in the 1960 Olympics in Rome was among the most significant milestones of his sporting career. Pakistan won the men’s hockey gold medal at the Games, continuing its strong performance in the sport at the international level.

Following his playing career, Zakauddin remained connected to Pakistan’s hockey community and was remembered as one of the players associated with the country’s successful Olympic era.

His death at the age of 90 has brought an end to the life of a former international player who represented Pakistan during a significant period in the nation’s hockey history.

Born in Jalandhar before the creation of Pakistan, Zakauddin later became part of the national sporting landscape and represented Pakistan internationally for eight years. His 56 international appearances from 1958 to 1966 marked a substantial period of service to the national team.

News of his death was reported from Lahore through his family, with Tauqeer Dar confirming his passing in Rome.

The former Olympian’s association with Pakistan’s 1960 Olympic gold-medal-winning hockey team remains one of the defining achievements of his sporting career. His contribution came during an era when Pakistan hockey was producing players who competed successfully at the highest international level.

The hockey community and former players are expected to remember Khawaja Zakauddin for his international career and his role in Pakistan’s Olympic hockey success. His passing marks the loss of another player from the generation that contributed to Pakistan’s historic achievements in international hockey.