Samiullah Khan (field hockey)


Samiullah Khan is a former field hockey player from Pakistan, who was nicknamed The Flying Horse because of his great speed. He is a former and veteran player of the Olympic Games.

Career

He played as a left winger for his native country in the 1970s and 1980s.
He was instrumental in Pakistan's bronze medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, and winning gold in Asian Games in Bangkok in 1978 and India in 1982. He was Vice-Captain of Pakistan hockey Team that won World cup in Mumbai, India in 1982 and Captain that won Asian Games in Delhi by defeating India 7-1 the same year. His remarkable ball control with enormous speed was a rare and lethal combination that can be seen in Hockey. With his thrilling runs, body dodges and large leaps he could beat and outpace his opponents and penetrate any defense to score goals or create scoring opportunities for his team mates. His brother Kaleemullah Khan also played for the national field hockey team of Pakistan. He retired from international hockey in 1982 while he was the captain of Pakistan team. Samiullah Khan later managed the Pakistan Hockey Team, quitting in 2005.
Samiullah is also nephew of Motiullah, who was member of the 1960 Rome Olympics gold-winning Pakistan hockey side.

Awards and recognition