KARACHI: Pakistan’s former celebrated goal-keeper and ex-Olympian Mansoor Ahmed is fighting for life at a local hospital where he was admitted on Friday after his condition deteriorated, sources close to him said on Tuesday.

“Mansoor has been shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to heart ailment,” sources told Dawn.

Mansoor’s mother, who has arrived from the US recently, called neighbours for help after his son suffered a fits attack and rushed to a nearby hospital on Friday, the sources said.

His two other brothers have also arrived here from abroad besides his sister.

The doctors are describing his condition as ‘serious’ and asked for prayers.

Mansoor, who played for the country from 1986 to 2000, was a member of the Pakistan team that won gold at the 1994 World Cup in Sydney.

According to sources, cardiac pacemaker and seven stents were implanted in Mansoor’s heart sometime back to keep his heart functioning.

Representatives of high-ranking civil and military officials, high-ups of Customs, where Mansoor is employed, players and organisers of the game are visiting the hospital to enquire about his health.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that the PHF president retired Brig Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, has assured to send Mansoor abroad for treatment if need arises.

Our Sports Reporter adds from Lahore: Former Olympians Naveed Alam and Mohammad Usman have appealed to the government and other hockey lovers to help ailing Mansoor.

“Mansoor is in the ICU of a hospital in Karachi fighting for his life and the nation should pray for his health. I want to appeal to the government, the Pakistan Hockey Federation and all generous people to help Mansoor in his difficult time,” Naveed said in a video message.

“It was disappointing when I received the news about Mansoor’s problem. The government spends billion of rupees on many projects. It should also spend on players like Mansoor who have enlightened the name of the country at the world level. Once we succeed to save

our heroes, we can be able to call this nation a responsible one which never forgets its heroes,” Naveed said.

Meanwhile, Usman said Mansoor was an asset of the country and he would like to appeal to the government, the federation and every institution to come forward in helping him out of his misery.

Usman said Mansoor deserved medical treatment wherever possible in the world, and added that Mansoor had rendered exemplary services for the nation in the field of hockey, so he was a great asset whom everyone should protect.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2018

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...