A Tribute to Air Marshal Nur Khan
By Rafique S.M. Ahmed
Los Angeles, CA
Air Marshal Nur Khan had the unique distinction of serving in top positions in both cricket and hockey at the same time. As president of the Pakistan Cricket Board (formerly BCCP) and Pakistan Hockey Federation respectively, Air Marshal Nur Khan was never afraid of executing innovative ideas and his achievements as an administrator are well known in Pakistan cricket, hockey and squash circles.
A former President of the Pakistan Cricket Board and the first captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Abdul Hafeez Kardar, had floated the idea of organizing an Asia Cricket Cup, but was unsuccessful in holding the contest due to political tensions with India. However, Nur Khan succeeded in the mid '80s in making the Asia Cup tournament a reality. He was also part of the organizing committee of the 1987 Cricket World Cup and was credited with bringing some of the World Cup matches to Pakistan.
Air Marshal M. Nur Khan had teamed up with Brig. M.H. Atif, the then Secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation, and gave new directions not only to the game of hockey in Pakistan but also to the PHF. On his personal initiative, Pakistan Hockey Federation introduced the World Cup Tournament and the Champions Trophy, which are now rated second only to the Olympics. This era was the golden period of hockey as Pakistan clinched the title of all world events.
Whenever I visited Pakistan, I had the opportunity and privilege of meeting Air Marshal Nur Khan in person. He used to show great appreciation for my publications on cricket. He loved to groom youngsters and that is why he had appointed Javed Miandad as captain of the Pakistan cricket team. I briefly met him during the Montreal Olympics in 1976. However, I did spend considerable time with the Air Marshal when he came to Los Angeles, California to encourage and boost the morale of the Pakistan hockey team during the 1984 Olympics. He was kind enough to arrange for a VIP Pass for me for the entire Olympics competitions which gave me access to hockey matches played by India where Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachan used to shout in his peculiar voice, "Score goals, I will throw a party".
The presence of Air Marshal Nur Khan at the Los Angeles Olympics was a great source of inspiration and motivation for the Pakistan team which went on to win the coveted gold medal. Hasan Sardar scored the highest number of goals in the tournament. Air Marshal Nur Khan, Federal Sports Minister, Zafarullah Jamali and the local Pakistani community, were all overwhelmed and extremely jubilant. I had taken a great number of pictures capturing the momentous occasion and I wanted to share the historic and memorable pictures with all of you to relive the excitement of a great Pakistani accomplishment. Unfortunately, all those invaluable pictures have been misplaced and could not be found despite my best efforts. Needless to say, winning the gold medal for Pakistan at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 was certainly the high point in the career of Air Marshal Nur Khan as President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
The death of Air Marshal Nur Khan is a great loss to Pakistan. He was not only a great commander-in-chief of the Pakistan Air Force, Governor of West Pakistan, Chairman of Pakistan International Airlines, President of both Hockey and Cricket Boards, but also a very proud, patriotic, devoted and decorated "SON" of Pakistan. Pakistan was his life. I am sure historians will write volumes about his charismatic personality, dynamic leadership, visionary wisdom, razor-sharp intelligence, outstanding management abilities, and inexhaustible diligence.
I am deeply saddened by the demise of the distinguished Air Marshal. May Almighty Allah rest his soul in eternal peace in Jannat al-Firdaus and give his family members and fellow countrymen the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Ameen.
Air Marshal Nur Khan, you have certainly played a great innings. Well played, Sir!
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