This month we are celebrating the career of one of world hockey’s greatest-ever forwards, Shahbaz Ahmed nick-named ‘The man with the electric heels’.
Shahbaz Ahmed (1986-2002) in action against Belgium, 10th Men’s Field Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur 2002
He joined Pakistan hockey in 1986 when another great legend Hassan Sardar was in the twilight of his career and led the team to glory in the 1994 Men’s Hockey World Cup in Sydney. Pakistan beat Australia 2-0 in the Semi Final (both goals scored by Shahbaz) and beat Holland 4-3 on penalties in the final after the two teams finished 1-1 in normal and extra time. Shahbaz retired from international hockey after the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996. He then played for the Dutch club Oranje Zwart for a couple of years. He came out of retirement in 2002 at the ripe (by hockey standards) age of 34 to represent the national side in the tenth World Cup in Malaysia. Pakistan finished a disappointing 5th in Kuala Lumpur. Since his departure we have struggled to find a single world-class forward although there have been a few decent ones notably Rehan Butt.
Medals and Achievements:
Gold Medals
8th Hockey World Cup, Sydney 1994
16th Champions Trophy, Lahore 1994
Asian Games, Beijing 1990
3rd Asia Cup, New Delhi 1989
Silver Medals
7th Hockey World Cup, Lahore 1990
BMW Trophy, Amsterdam 1990
10th Champions Trophy 1988
Bronze Medals
Olympics, Barcelona 1992
8th Champions Trophy 1986
Player of the Tournament in successive World Cups
Shahbaz is the only player in the history of Field Hockey to win the player of the tournament award in two consecutive World Cups in 1990 (Lahore) and 1994 (Sydney)
Most-capped Pakistani player with 304 caps in international hockey
Awarded the President’s Pride of Performance Medal in 1992 by the Government of Pakistan
Shahbaz’s achievements are all the more commendable since he did not have the privilege and luxury of playing alongside other outstanding forwards who could support him in attack. The late 70s and early 80s teams had illustrious forwards such as Shahnaz Sheikh (The livewire in the left wing), Islahuddin (The speed merchant), Hanif Khan (The man of crisis), Manzoor Jr. (The streetwise artist), Hassan Sardar (The dazzling dribbler), Samiullah (The flying horse) and his younger brother Kalimullah (The livewire in the right wing) who could all penetrate the D on their own.
Unfortunately I could only find this video of our golden moments in hockey
Pakistan in World Cups 1978-1994
If anyone has more pictures or video footage of Shahbaz Ahmed please do share.
Baqol Umar Shareef " patli patli sokhi sokhi, kali kali, tangin nicker sy aise nikli hoti hain ky lagta hy aik hockey sy nahi teen teen hockion sy khyl rahy hoty hain:cb: PS: Thanks 4 sharing:)
On a spring day, I was walking through the corridor of my office on may way to the Director's office (I was working in PTCL, Karachi then), I saw two chaps wandering and looking around. At first glance, they looked familiar to me. But others people were not recognizing them. So sad. I immediately went towards them and asked what they were looking for. Tahir came there to see the General Manager of telephones regarding some problem of a relative in Karachi. Anyway, the boys took a sigh of relief (as at least someone knew them) and I escorted them to the General Manager's office.
Let us put ourselves in their shoes. I don't know how I would have felt myself as the reigning world cup-winning captain (Pakistan were world champions then) if I had been completely ignored like that by people. It must have been very disheartening esp. for Shahbaz. Hockey players unfortunately suffer from lack of media exposure and the problem is world wide. It is still thought of as a women's sport by many people. In Britain for instance they seem more worried about the fate of their women's team at the Olympics rather than their men's team.
The sport has been completely replaced by cricket as the most popular game in India and Pakistan which has led to a drying up of talent. And because of lack of role models and money etc. in hockey there is hardly any incentive for more youngsters to take up hockey. Hence it is only natural for every kid to want to be a cricketer now.
I would have contributed a lot in this thread. I had a collection of World Hockey - the FIH magazine from 1984 to 1992. Alas! when I went to UK in 2003, someone sold them out to Kabri.
Those magazine had some classical pictures of Pakistan hockey players (action pictures) - one of them was that of 1984 LA games Hassan Sardar's classical picture and many Shabaz on the field photos.
He then played for the Dutch club Oranje Zwart for a couple of years.<<<
I haven't followed hockey that much, but I remember whenever on Sunday during the sports program they would report on hockey, they always used to mention his name as being a great forward in the game, and how the Dutch teams were happy to have him in their league
aaah Shahbaz Ahmed ....... I still remember ... he used to keep 4-5 opponent players busy alone just like M'dona in Soccer! His combination with Wasim Ferooz (as left in and left out) was treat to watch ....
btw, I am looking for Shahbaz Ahmed videos....anyone?
Shahbaz Ahmed (1986-2002) in action against Belgium, 10th Men’s Field Hockey World Cup in Kuala Lumpur 2002
it is so nice to see such great enthusiasm from fellow guppies and guppans for our national sport hockey :k:
Baqol Umar Shareef " patli patli sokhi sokhi, kali kali, tangin nicker sy aise nikli hoti hain ky lagta hy aik hockey sy nahi teen teen hockion sy khyl rahy hoty hain:cb:
