Zakir Hussain Syed was 73.
He was the first recipient of the President’s Pride of Performance Award in sports administration and management in the country.
As the youngest ever director general of the Pakistan Sports Board, Zakir came to this organisation as an unknown commodity and left behind a legacy.
In 1976, Zakir was instrumental in organising six major international tournaments in Pakistan in connection with the Quaid-i-Azam centenary celebrations, culminating in the grand 10-Nation Hockey competition played before a packed Gaddafi Stadium and a Mr Asia contest.
Zakir was one of the key figures behind the spectacular organisation of the SAF Games in Pakistan 1989.
Zakir also held the post of secretary and development manager of Asia with the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Tauqir Zia praised Zakir for his contribution.
“Zakir was a great gentleman who wanted the betterment of sports in Pakistan,” Zia told The Express Tribune. “He was a great analyst and commentator who played an active role in promotion of cricket while at the ACC.”
Saleem Asghar Mian, a former manager of the Pakistan cricket team and a friend of Zakir, said he knew Syed for 50 years.
“He was a humble person and a fine sports administrator,” Mian said. “The people who knew him will miss him very much.”
He added that Zakir was instrumental in getting the Pakistan Sports Complex built in Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (6)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732797811-0/BeFunky-collage-(4)1732797811-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732796151-0/dj-drake-(1)1732796151-0-165x106.webp "article")
1732783403-0/BeFunk_§_]__-(66)1732783403-0.jpg "zimbabwe s sean williams penalised for breaching icc code of conduct")
A Great man and a True Pakistani Patriot !!!!! He was my P/T and sports master at Lawrence College Prep School from 1966-1968. I remember when he nicknamed me "Bull" because whenever I played hockey or did boxing I would charge out without any hesitation. Thank you SIR. It was an honour to have you as our teacher. You will be missed tremendously. R.I.P. Inna Lillah Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji'oon.
Great Personality , he was my Class teacher of Class 5 in 1967, at Ghora Gali a great coach of cricket. What surprised me he recognised me in 2002 at Swat airport.
A true asset of Pakistan. Need more like him. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'uun.
Zakir sb... may Allah rest your soul in peace. Zakir sahib.. was not only a sports manager, but a very good teacher for many of us Gallains. He taught me in the Prep school in the mid 60's era , but also fine tuned my skills in sports.
inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun!
A super person. Will always be remembered for his contributions towards sports.