There are times when the actions of a sportsman warms your heart and restores your faith that not everyone is in it just for the money.
It was great to read in the past 24 hours that Pakistan Cricketer Shahid Afridi has decided to bear the medical expenses of former hockey goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed’s medical treatment.
Mansoor Ahmed etched his name in not only Pakistan’s sporting history, but also World Hockey’s, by saving the last penalty in the 1994 Hockey World Cup in the final against Netherlands. That save sealed the title for Pakistan. This was Pakistan’s fourth World Cup and their last victory in the competition, which is why it holds such a special place in the hearts of Pakistan sports fans.
The former goalkeeper, who is a three-time Olympian, was admitted to ICU a couple of weeks back and is reported to be fighting for his life. It has been reported that he “has been suffering from a deteriorating heart condition that has resulted in reduced heart functioning and onset of organ failure.” The Pakistan Hockey Federation has also taken care of part of his medical bill.
“Shahid Afridi Foundation will bear all expenses of Mansoor’s treatment and won’t let him down,” Afridi was quoted as saying.
It is great to see stars from other sports show respect and compassion for athletes from a different era and a different sport. There have been many instants where we have witnessed this and it always strikes the right chord.
In 2001 when Australia’s Socceroos played Uruguay to qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup the Uruguayan players donated their match fees to all the survivors of the team that won the World Cup back in 1950. In 2009 the Socceroos donated their match fee from their World Cup qualifier against Japan for the victims of the bushfires back home that killed 173 people.
It is these acts where our sporting stars become heroes. When they step off their pedestals and make a difference to the lives of those less fortunate than them.
To see Afridi be aware of the importance of Mansoor Ahmed and his place in Pakistan’s sporting history and try to ease his and his families suffering is wonderful to read, and elevates his reputation as a sports star.
In the meantime we all wish Mansoor Ahmed a speedy recovery and that his suffering is eased.
