Hanif's Services to the sport, country lauded (24 May 1997)

Report : The Dawn

Hanif`s services to the country, sport lauded

by Sports Reporter

KARACHI, May 24: Hanif Mohammad is not only my hero but of the entire nation and we are proud of him. These observations were made by Mr Elahi Bux Soomro, Speaker, National Assembly, at a reception here held by the Brotherhood Society of Pakistan honour to the Little Master for his meritorious services for the promotion of the sport in the country.

"Hanif Mohammad should be provided with all the facilities to utilise his services to groom and produce more players who can serve the country in the field of cricket," the National Assembly Speaker added. Mr Soomro, who presented a gold medal to Hanif Mohammad amidst a field of intellectuals and sportsmen at an impressive ceremony, emphasised that sports infrastructure should be created and provided to the youth of the city for the development of various games.

Mr Soomro admitted that there was a dearth of sports grounds nowadays as compared to when Hanif Mohammad used to play. "I take the privilege of the presence of Mr Mohammad Saeed Mehdi (Chief Secretary, Sindh) here and ask him to take his personal interest in creating these facilities. "Countries who don`t honour their heroes or forget them are on their way to decline. I am pleased that we still love, honour and respect our heroes. Hanif Mohammad has been and will always remain our hero because his services and performances are unforgettable. We are proud of Hanif," Mr Soomro said.

Hanif Mohammad was very humble and man of few words at his speech. "I thank all of you who came here to honour me," said the former Pakistan captain.

Former Judge of the Supreme Court and Governor Sindh, Mr Fakhruddin G Ebraheem, in his speech said it was glorious sight to see the fifth highest person of the county in Elahi Bux Soomro to take time off and attend a reception for Hanif Mohammad. "Every Pakistani is proud of Hanif Mohammad`s achievement," he remarked, adding: "I am interested in achievements made by an individual and that is why I start my day by reading sports pages because it is there where you find which individual accomplished what and in which field."

Chief Secretary, Sindh, Mohammad Saeed Mehdi, said he was a great admirer of Hanif Mohammad. "In my school days, I used to go here, there and everywhere either just to catch a glimpse of Hanif or to shake hands with him. I was so crazy about Hanif that I lodged myself at an expensive hotel in which the Pakistan team was also staying during a Test in Peshawar because I wanted to be near him. "I feel delighted and proud to be now seated next to Hanif Mohammad. It had always been my childhood dream."

Hasib Ahsan, former Chairman of Selectors, said Pakistan was one of the most unluckiest countries which was not exploiting the talent of Hanif Mohammad. "It`s a pity that Englishmen teach their youth about cricket by showing Hanif Mohammad`s innings of 187 at Lord`s. But here, Hanif has been cornered by the cricket authorities when he is not being provided with a space to coach budding youngsters of the city." Ahsan said all the playing fields have been encroached and now only high-rise buildings existed.

President of the Brotherhood Society, Razaullah Khan, while showering praise on Hanif Mohammad, said it was very unfortunate that never any reception was held either by the PCB or the KC- CA. "Hanif has sweated for both the institutions but none of the two acknowledge his services which was very sad." Razaullah called for introducing a demo- cratic and elected system in cricket and asked the higher authorities to look into the cricket affairs. "The PCB constitution which is being applied lapsed years ago."

Also spoke on the occasion were Salahuddin Ahmad, Sikandar Bakth, Roshan Khan, Khurshid Sohail (Chairman of Indus Bank) and Faqir Aitzazuddin.

Source:: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn/)