Akhtar Rasool

Akhtar Rasool (born 13 January 1954) is a politician and former field hockey player, national hockey team captain and Olympian from Pakistan who won the gold medal with the men's national hockey team at the Hockey World Cup 1978, and again in 1982. He played as center half for the national team. Akhtar was notable for his abilities in centre-half recovery and ball distribution.

After his retirement from professional hockey, he was elected as the President of Pakistan's hockey supreme body the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). This was to be only for a term of one year. He took over at a time when the PHF was bankrupt and had just gotten out of the 1996 players revolt just before the world cup. He worked diligently and was elected for another term as the president. He then served as the chairman of the selection committee in the year 2002.

Akhtar Rasool was elected unopposed as the president of the Pakistan Hockey Federation in 2013 but could not perform as well as expected this time. "Pakistan had secured eighth position in the qualifying event for the Olympics held in Belgium and as a result failed to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games. It was the first time in the game's history that Pakistan missed out on a spot at the Olympics."

Awards and recognition In 1983, Akhtar was awarded Pride of Performance, the highest civil award by the Pakistani Government, in recognition of his contributions to Pakistani hockey.

In active politics After retirement from active hockey, Akhtar entered politics in 1985. He contested as an independent and was elected MPA to Punjab Assembly. In 1986, he became Excise and Taxation Minister of Punjab. In 1988, he was elected from P.P 128 Ichhra on Islami Jamhuri Itihad ticket and became the Sports Minister of Punjab. In 1990, he again contested on Islami Jamhoori Ittehad party ticket and was elected MLA with a big margin. In 1993, he contested Parliament seat on Muslim League ticket and became MPA (Member of Provincial Assembly).