Manzoor Hussain Atif

Brigadier Manzoor Hussain Atif was a secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation and an Olympian in the game of field hockey. In 1994, he was a recipient of the Silver Olympic Order.

Early life and career

Atif started as a soldier in the Pakistan Armed Forces and eventually reached the rank of a Brigadier.
Later while Atif was involved with the Pakistan national hockey team, the team won one Olympic gold medal in 1960 and two Olympic silver medals in 1956 and 1964. He is regarded as one of the most successful Olympians of Pakistan.

Atif was the Secretary of Pakistan Hockey Federation for 11 years
Atif was the Secretary of Asian Hockey Federation for 16 years
Atif was the Vice President of Asian Hockey Federation from 1982 to 2001

Awards and recognition

Pride of Performance Award for Sports in 1963 by the President of Pakistan
Lifetime Achievement Award by the Asian Hockey Federation

Death and legacy

Atif died on 8 December 2008 in Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan at age 80. He was a passionate person as a field hockey player as well as a Pakistan Hockey Team manager. Pakistan won its second Olympic gold medal at Mexico City in 1968 and then at Los Angeles in 1984 when he was their team manager. He was a highly respected person in the field hockey world. Qasim Zia and Asif Bajwa of the Pakistan Hockey Federation paid rich tributes to Atif at a memorial ceremony event held at Lahore, after his death. Qasim Zia said, "He was not only a pure administrator but also a very polite and humble person."