Tributes pour in for Zakir Hussain Syed
Renown sports administrator passed away on Thursday.
Zakir Hussain Syed was 73.
KARACHI:
Renowned sports administrator, commentator and sports analyst Zakir Hussain Syed passed away on Thursday evening in Islamabad after suffering cardiac arrest during a routine walk.
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.
Renowned sports administrator, commentator and sports analyst Zakir Hussain Syed passed away on Thursday evening in Islamabad after suffering cardiac arrest during a routine walk.
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.