Former Olympian and captain of national hockey team Abdul Rasheed Junior has passed away.

President Arif Alvi has extended heartiest condolences to the family and to the world of hockey. He also prayed for the departed soul.

“Pakistan’s outstanding center forward in hockey, the legendary Rashid Jr. has passed away. My condolences to the family and to the world of hockey. What a marvel he was. May his soul rest in peace”, the President tweeted.

Pakistan's outstanding center forward in hockey, the legendary Rashid Jr. has passed away. My condolences to the family and to the world of hockey. What a marvel he was. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/6GueUVccpA

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— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) November 5, 2020

On the other hand, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar also expressed deep grief over the loss of hockey’s legendary player.

Asad Umar tweeted, “Saddened by the passing away of the great Rasheed junior. He was in the Pak gold medal 1968 Olympics & 1971 world cup teams. In the 68 Olympics he was the highest goal scorer of the tournament. He brought a lot of joy and pride to Pakistan. May Allah grant him a place in jannat.”

Saddened by the passing away of the great rasheed junior. He was in the Pak gold medal 1968 olympics & 1971 world cup teams. In the 68 olympics he was the highest goal scorer of the tournament. He brought a lot of joy and pride to Pakistan. May Allah grant him a place in jannat

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— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) November 5, 2020

However, he also prayed for his highest rank in Jannat-ul-Firdous.

Hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rasheed Junior produced many brilliant field hockey players for Pakistan. With three Olympic medals to his credit, his career remained full of numerous achievements as a brilliant hockey player.

Abdul Rasheed Junior’s last rites were offered at his ancestral town in Bannu.

President Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Brig (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokar and Secretary General Asif Bajwa, in their separate condolence messages, have expressed grief over the loss of the legendary player and prayed for the departed soul.

They also paid glowing tributes to him for his services to the Hockey Federation and the country.

Furthermore, the legendary hockey star had bagged the gold medal in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and went on to win the silver and bronze medals in the 1972 and 1976 games in Germany and Canada respectively.