Samiullah Khan: The Flying Horse of Pakistani
HockeySamiullah Khan is one of the most spectacular former Pakistani hockey players, born in Bahawalpur, Punjab, on September 6, 1951.
Known for his panther speed, he earned the nickname ‘The Flying Horse.’ His presence on the field was a formidable threat to all sides, making him unstoppable.
Samiullah was a prize asset when Pakistan clinched gold medals in some of the biggest tournaments, including:
Two World Cups: 1978 (Buenos Aires) and 1982 (Mumbai)
Three Asian Games: 1974 (Tehran), 1978 (Bangkok), and 1982 (New Delhi)
One Champions Trophy: 1980 (Karachi)
He captained the victorious side at the 1982 New Delhi Asian Games, where Pakistan thrashed India 7-1 in the final at Shivaji Stadium on December 1, 1982.
After retiring, Samiullah went on to manage the Pakistan team. In recognition of his contributions, he was conferred with the Pride of Performance Award in 1983 and received the Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) in 2014.