Inna Lillahe wa inna aleh-e raji-un.

 

His sudden death sent the entire Olympic family into deep shock and mourning, and his funeral prayers post-Maghrib prayers Friday were attended by a large number of athletes, aficionados and sports organizers, his former colleagues from Wapda, a sizable circle of friends and family.

 

“Abdul Khaliq Khan shall in our memory remain in the forefront as far as great servants of Pakistan sports go. Both in terms of quality and longevity, his service to Pakistan sports was indeed remarkable. He worked with me as Secretary General of POA for two full terms, from 2004 to 2012 before bowing out in the elections early last year and was elected vice-president. But his commitment to POA and Pakistan sports did not require the trappings of an executive office, for he kept coming to the POA Secretariat day in, day out and kept on assisting us with the same efficiency that had been his hallmark throughout.

 

“In his death Pakistan Sports has lost a most dedicated and selfless worker who always maintained his balance regardless of the pressures. We all grieve over his death, while remembering his great contribution first as a player and skipper, and then as a mentor of Pakistan volleyball in so many positions for such a long time, with his services to the entire Olympic family taking pride of place in an organizational career that only be described as superlative”, said the POA President Lt. Gen. (Retd) Syed Arif Hasan, HI(M).

 

Talking about Khan Sahib – as he was addressed far and wide in Pakistan’s sporting circles and abroad, POA’s Secretary General Khalid Mahmood said: “It is a very sad day for Pakistan sports and Olympic family. We have lost a great friend and a superb colleague who would never tire of giving his best to the cause of Pakistan sports. His death has deprived us of a person with such outstanding qualities like utter devotion, hard work and self-sacrifice when it came to Pakistan sports.”

 

Ch. Muhammad Yaqoob, vice-president of the Pakistan Olympic Association and president of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, said: “There cannot be any doubt whatsoever about Khaliq Khan Sahib’s status in Pakistan Volleyball. He was the best when it came to organization, and whatever successes Pakistan Volleyball has achieved in the last three decades could not have come without his ability, knowledge, focus and commitment. The volleyball family shall miss him dearly and always remember him fondly”.

 

Born on March 22, 1932, Khaliq Khan passed only 42 days shy of 81 years. And as many as 67 of these he devoted to the cause of Pakistan sports, starting as a child prodigy when at the age of 13 he commenced playing volleyball. That was the beginning of a romance with sports that lasted till his last breath.

 

Meanwhile, his career out of sports too was amazing. He retired as chief engineer from WAPDA in 1992 at superannuation after distinguished service that was recognized by many national awards. He was decorated with Tamgha-i-Khidmat by the President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan for rendering special meritorious services in 1966 as an Officer of WAPDA. He was also conferred Rabiual Awal Award – Meritorious Performance Shield by WAPDA in 1987 in recognition of his sustained outstanding achievements as an Engineer of WAPDA.

 

While those decorations reflect on his meritorious professional record as an engineer, it is in the realm of sports that he was destined to surpass them.

 

May Almighty bless him with his choicest rewards in his eternal life and give the bereaved family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.