The 70s and early 80s was the most productive and successful period in the history of Pakistan hockey. Pakistan hockey team was on the medal list in almost every major championship and had established itself as a force to reckon with. Shahnaz Sheikh was one of the legendary players of that time.
Shahnaz Sheikh was born on 21st March, 1949 in Sialkot. He joined Pakistan National Hockey Team in 1969.
Shahnaz Sheikh played as a forward and with winged feet and deceptive body swerve was the opponents’ worst nightmare. Fast, accurate and strong he together with his other team mates made Pakistan a tough team. Shahnaz was capped 68 times and has 45 goals to his credit.
His absence from the team due to injury in the mid-70s caused Pakistan two losses in the finals of the World Cup and the Montreal Olympics. He played from year 1969 till 2015.
Being excellent at hockey, he is popular in world hockey history. He also served as the coach of the Pakistan National Hockey Team but stepped down after disappointing performance from the team.
After retiring as a player, he coached the Pakistan Junior Hockey team which went on to win the Junior Asia Cup. His similar efforts with the senior team however failed miserably.
Despite his failures in coaching in certain occasions, Shahnaz Sheikh is considered as one of the best and most aggressive hockey players Pakistan ever had. Shahnaz Sheikh had a commendable fighting spirit when on the ground. His performance was always above average in the time he played professional hockey for Pakistan.
He is rated among the top ten hockey players of Pakistan of all time. Shahnaz Sheikh was awarded with the Pride of Performance Award by the President of Pakistan for his contributions to Pakistan hockey in 1990.
