30 Facts About Akhtar Rasool

Akhtar Rasool was born on 13 January 1954 and is a politician and former field hockey player, national hockey team captain and Olympian from Pakistan who won the gold medal with the men's national hockey team at the Hockey World Cup 1978, and again in 1982.

Akhtar Rasool played as center half for the national team.

Akhtar Rasool was born in Faisalabad District of Pakistan, formerly known as Lyallpur.

Akhtar Rasool's father was Chaudhry Ghulam Rasool and was himself a world-renowned hockey Olympian beside being an eminent educationist.

Akhtar Rasool was awarded "Roll of Honor" and "College Color" for his excellent performance in hockey.

Akhtar Rasool was noted for his clean playing style and performance and as such was first included in the Pakistani national hockey team in 1971.

Akhtar Rasool was a player of relaxed approach but extreme courage, control and poise were hallmarks of his excellence in a highly demanding position at centre-half.

From 1971 till 1982, Akhtar Rasool played numerous national and international matches, displaying his superior skills in hockey.

Akhtar Rasool had an exceptional technique and a knack of passing the ball to the right player at the right time.

Akhtar Rasool played a crucial role in Pakistan's victories in 1978 and 1982 Hockey World Cup.

In 1982, Akhtar captained the Pakistani team for the Hockey World Cup Championship held in Bombay and won a gold medal for Pakistan by defeating W Germany in the finals.

Akhtar Rasool played in the 1972 Summer Olympics held at Munich, 1976 Summer Olympics held at Montreal and won Silver and Bronze Medals in 1972 and 1976, respectively.

Akhtar Rasool was a good pivot and played important role in Pakistani victories in 1978 and 1982 Hockey World Cups.

Akhtar Rasool was awarded highest civil award Pride of Performance by the Pakistani Government in 1983.

Akhtar Rasool took over at a time when the PHF was bankrupt and had just gotten out of the 1996 players revolt just before the world cup.

Akhtar Rasool worked diligently and his hard work paid off and he was elected for another term as the President.

Akhtar Rasool was supposed to continue till the year 2002.

Akhtar Rasool then served as the chairman of the selection committee in the year 2002, and at that time too, his focus was the development of Pakistani hockey.

Akhtar Rasool ensured that the players were helped in each possible way to maintain their consistency.

Akhtar Rasool is still an active member of Pakistani hockey.

Akhtar Rasool is either coaching or training young lads in Pakistan with the same motto and that is promotion of Pakistan hockey.

Akhtar Rasool was elected unopposed as the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation in 2013 but could not perform as well as expected this time.

Akhtar Rasool retired from active hockey after winning Hockey World Cup, at Bombay in 1982.

Akhtar Rasool remains active in hockey by coaching or training young players in Pakistan with the primary intention of promoting Pakistani hockey.

Akhtar Rasool has held the offices of President of Punjab Sports Board; President, Punjabi Hockey Association; and President, Punjab Athletics Association.

Akhtar Rasool took over the reins at a time when the PHF was almost bankrupt and had gotten out of the 1996 players revolt just before the Hockey World Cup.

Akhtar Rasool was re-elected PHF chief for a second term till 2002 but resigned in 1999 for personal reasons.

Akhtar Rasool then served as the Chairman of the selection committee in 2002.

In 1983, Akhtar Rasool was awarded Pride of Performance, the highest civil award by the Pakistani Government, in recognition of his contributions to Pakistani hockey.

Akhtar Rasool contested as an independent and was elected MPA to Punjab Assembly.