Tanvir Dar was one of the top former Pakistani hockey players, renowned for his skill in the right full-back position. Born as Tanvir Ahmed Dar in Amritsar, British India, on June 4, 1937, he quickly rose to prominence in the field of hockey.

Tanvir, the brother of Munir Dar, was known for his strong build and defensive prowess, often dismantling the dangerous moves of opposing forwards. He was also the go-to man for penalty corners, making significant contributions to Pakistan’s success in international tournaments.

His achievements include:

– 1968 Mexico Olympic Games:

Part of the gold medal-winning team. Pakistan defeated Australia 2-1 on October 26 at the Municipal Stadium, Mexico City.

– 1970 Bangkok Asian Games: Helped Pakistan win gold by narrowly beating India 1-0 after extra time on December 19 at the National Stadium, Bangkok.

– 1971 Hockey World Cup:

Instrumental in Pakistan lifting the inaugural World Cup. Tanvir was the top goal scorer of the tournament with eight goals, including two double hat-tricks. Pakistan became world champions by beating Spain 1-0 on October 24 at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to hockey, Tanvir Dar received the Pride of Performance Award in 1971. Unfortunately, he lost his battle with illness and passed away in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan, on February 11, 1998.

Tanvir Dar remains an inspiration and a celebrated figure in the history of Pakistani hockey.