Col (retd) Zafar Ali Zafri, part of Pakistan’s 1960 Rome Olympics gold medal-winning squad, breathed his last at Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi, late night on Saturday.
Considered as an iconic hockey player, Zafri won silver in 1956 in Melbourne Olympics. He was the manager of the Pakistan hockey team that won the inaugural World Cup in Barcelona in 1971.
Zafri also held the title of the secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for the duration of 1964 – 1967. He also served as a chief selector.
With the loss of Zafar Ali Zafri, not only has the hockey world lost one of its legends, but the Asian Hockey Family has also lost a dear and cherished friend. The AHF sincerely hopes that the family and loved ones of Mr. Zafar be granted the strength to cope with the extreme difficulty of these times.
“I am deeply saddened at the loss of a time-tested friend and an amazing hockey player. Truly he was an asset to Pakistani Hockey, having served not only as an athlete but also as an exceptional administrator. I wish his family can find the strength to bear with this loss.”, said Dato Fumio Ogura, President, Asian Hockey Federation.
“We face an immense loss and are overwhelmed with grief upon this sad news. The Hockey world has lost one of its legends and the Asian Hockey Family, a dear friend. I wish the bereaved family strength to endure this loss. Indeed, his memory will live on forever.”, said Dato Tayyab Ikram, Chief Executive, Asian Hockey Federation.
