Zakir Syed leaves for his heavenly abode

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 21 March 2013

Zakir Hussain Syed, a key figure in Pakistan's sports administration, died at 73 after suffering a heart attack. He significantly contributed to athletics in the country, especially in hockey and the Asian Games.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Zakir Hussain Syed, renowned sports administrator, commentator and columnist died Thursday evening. He was 73.

According to reports he suffered a heart attack while out for a walk in the Fatima Jinnah Park. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died. His funeral prayers will be held at the Imambargah in G-6/2 on Friday at 9:00am, his relatives said. The body will then be taken to Sialkot for burial in his ancestral village.

Zakir was the first Pakistan chief executive of the Pakistan Sports Board and was credited for producing the best results in Asian Games in the history of the board.

He was one of the key figures behind the successful organization of the SAF Games in Islamabad in 1989. In 1996, he was made the organizing secretary of Women Sports Board.

Zakir was also the secretary and development manager Asia of the Asian Cricket Council.

An internationally recognized commentator, his love for sports, especially hockey was such that he hardly ever missed a major event. He regularly wrote columns in leading newspapers.

In 2003 he was awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance.

KEY POINTS:

• Zakir Syed died of a heart attack at age 73.
• He was the first chief executive of the Pakistan Sports Board.
• Zakir played a key role in organizing the SAF Games in 1989.
• He served as secretary and development manager of the Asian Cricket Council.
• Zakir received the President's Award for Pride of Performance in 2003.