The professors who took Karachi sports to great heights.

Byline: Anwar Zuberi

THERE are a number of prominent academicians, all professors, who have played a vital role in the promotion of sports in the city in yore. Unfortunately, most of them have now passed away but their mentoring and support for sports and sportspersons can never be forgotten.

Prof Anwar Chowdhry: Late Anwar Chowdhry who served as International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) President for two decades, 1986-2006 - was the highest decorated Pakistani sports administrator among all globally.

An engineer by profession, he served the NED University in different teaching capacities before becoming head of Mechanical Engineering Department in 1970. He took retirement in 1977.

He served as the organising secretary of 1970, 1976 and 1980 National Games and chairman of 1980 Games. All these Games were held at Karachi.

He was involved with a number of local sports associations for years before moving to AIBA.

His association with AIBA is a history now.

Prof Hashmatullah Lodhi: A former professor of Botany and Principal of S M College, the soft-spoken Lodhi remained a backbone for uplift of sports, not only in his own institution but for hundreds of sportsmen in the metropolis.

Born in Lucknow in 1929, he was an active hockey player during his hey days and played as inside left for Lucknow Young Men Association.

After partition, he kept knocking on the doors of the game and also attended the national hockey camp at Quetta but unfortunately he could not make it and left the game in disgust.

He retired as Additional Secretary, Education, Sindh and passed away on March 17, 2019.

Prof A. M. Farid: He was a respected figure and had a passion for sports. He was a regular at sports events, particularly athletics.

Farid also served as secretary of the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) in its formative years. He also managed Pakistan athletics team to Iran in 1973 and China twice in 1978 and 1980.

Born on Oct 23, 1923, he also served as chairman of the Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi, Principal S. M. Arts and Commerce College and director Colleges. He died in Karachi at the age of 74.

Prof Abdul Latif Khokhar: Khokhar was synonymous with D. J. Science College and was loved by all for his interest in sports. He was Prof of Sindhi besides being in charge of sports.

Born in 1930 in Karachi, he used to hunt for promising sportsmen on different playgrounds across the city and bring them into his fold by offering admissions in the first year...