Manzoorul Hassan was born in Gojra a small town in Faisalabad division. He was the first star to come from that place which inspired other generation of players who followed the footsteps of this great legend to secure a place in the national team. One of the most difficult position to play was occupied by Manzoorul from 1973-82. Manzoorul Hassan was a big fish in the Pakistan’s men’s hockey team during nineteen seventies (1970’s). Although he is a gentleman he was the most powerful defender. It was not so easy to break his deep defense. He was one the most tremendous defenders in the late 70’s. Pakistan had a player with lot of potential to save their team from others scoring goals. Apart from the goal keeper Manzoorul Hassan was the only weapon for Pakistan’s hockey team to save goals and he too came good at crucial times for Pakistan during his days.
Although we know Manzoorul Hassan is a great full back he got rewards for his excellence from the all time great of Indian hockey Mr. Zafar Iqbal. He applauded Manzoorul as a strongest weapon he has ever seen. He too added with the statement saying “The one he found most difficult to beat is Manzoor”. The statement added credit to Manzoorul’s performance and the duo of Manzoorul and Munawwaruz was one of the most outstanding pair that the country has ever produced. Manzoorul played in a position called the back but for the opponents his position was far back from the original back position. Yet he tackled his opponents in such a way that it was difficult to beat him and get to the Pakistani goal. He was given the name Mr. Reliable because the team had immense confidence in the strength of this player in holding his opponents away from the goal.
Throughout the 82 world cup Manzoorul Hassan played an outstanding game. He was the player who held the Pakistani defense together at that time and to add tribute to his name he gave away only three goals to his opponents. He is the key for the success of the PHF. He was a doughty defender who is very strong mentally and physically to shatter the opponents imagination and tackles. The crown in his cap was winning the silver medal in the 1978 world cup where he was the full back and provided a lot of resistance. But he was disappointed after losing the finals but to add credit they won the next world cup i.e. in 1982. For him it was a dream come true. To be part of a team and to contribute immensely in its victory in a world cup was the greatest high for Manzoorul Hassan.
Manzoorul Hassan has played 154 international matches and has scored nearly 104 goals for his side. He was also a member of the Pakistan’s Olympic team in the year 1976 where they finished third overall. He too had few unforgettable memories when he coached Pakistan hockey team in the late 90’s which ended with Pakistan clinching the silver medal at the Lahore world cup. The saddest part of his life is when Shabbiz senior made him as a target for revolution during the 1996 Olympics. Being a man of principles and great strength, he quit his job. But his passion for the game and love for his country brought him back and he became the coach and then a selector of the Pakistani hockey team.
Hassan Sardar | Akhtar Rasool | Shahbaz Ahmad | Sohail Abbas | Islahudin | Samiullah | Waseem Ahmad | Dihan Chand
Tahir Zaman | Kamran Ashraf | Rehan Butt | Manzorul Hassan | Munawar uz Zaman | Asif Bajwah | Saman Rashid |