Hockey commentator SM Naqi passes away after long battle with illness

KARACHI: Renowned hockey commentator S.M Naqi passed away on Saturday after a long battle with illness. His funeral prayers were held today. 

The veteran broadcaster received the Pride of Performance Award in 2003 for his services in arts.

He was the only Urdu commentator to have access to the national hockey side during the golden era of the sport for Pakistan during the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

Naqi started his career with Radio Pakistan in the 1960s and later went on to cover matches for PTV.

According to former Pakistan captain Islahudin Siddiqui, Naqi was not only a skilled commentator but had a passion for hockey like no one else.

"Naqi was a great commentator. He was the pioneer of Urdu commentary for hockey," Siddique told The Express Tribune. "It saddens me to know he is no more, because all I can remember is that he felt every emotion like we did during the matches. I still remember his voice would start to  break whenever he would see the team lose the match."

Siddique went on to remember that Naqi's contribution to hockey is exemplary and his commentary generated the public interest in hockey.

He said that Naqi covered the golden age of hockey and also accompanied the team at the Olympics, Champions trophy and World Cup.

Siddiqui said that Naqi was also the part of every victory in many ways through his commentary during the 1970s and '80s.

"I also had the honour to learn from him when I started my work as a commentator myself," said Siddiqui. "I knew Naqi to be a fine man. He was always smile and I never saw him fight with anyone in over three decades that I've known him. Its a great loss to us. My prayers are with his family."