Another gem lost: Olympian Akhlaq loses battle with cancer

Hockey fraternity, family grieve passing of 1992 Olympic bronze medallist

KARACHI: Olympian Muhammad Akhlaq Ahmed, part of the field hockey team which won bronze at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992, passed away yesterday after losing his battle with cancer at the CMH Hospital in Lahore.

The 45-year-old was diagnosed with cancer following a dental procedure in Malaysia a few months ago. Since then he had been receiving treatment but his health deteriorated last week and he was admitted at the CMH Hospital in Lahore where he passed away, revealed a family member.

Khawaja Muhammad Junaid, Akhlaq’s teammate in Barcelona, described the deceased as one of the most hardworking players in the team and revealed that he, along with many in the hockey fraternity, are in a state of shock.

“I got to know about his health last week,” Junaid, who was on his way to attend Akhlaq’s funeral, told The Express Tribune. “The news of his death came as a huge shock. He was one of the young players who went to represent Pakistan in Barcelona and I remember him as one of the most talented and hardworking players.”

He further added, “His death is not only a loss for his family but also for the hockey fraternity and the sport as well.”

Akhlaq, who had previously been part of the coaching panels for the national women’s hockey team and Pakistan Whites, was coaching the Sri Lankan national hockey team prior to his untimely death.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2016.

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