Pakistan’s legendary hockey goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed has died just days after he made a passionate plea to India to grant him a medical visa so that he could have his heart transplant done.
His death evoked angry reactions from fans who expressed their disgust over a legend being left to die for the want of decent medical treatment.
I still remember when the push by @jeroendelmee was saved by Mansoor Ahmed, millions of Pakistanis burst into tears with joy of winning hockey world cup 4th time. 4 times awarded best GK and we sent our hero like this. Shame on us #RIPMansoorAhmed
— Fawad Masud (@FawadMasud) May 12, 2018
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ Pakistan hockey legend Mansoor Ahmed dies aged 49 – Thank you Govt of Pakistan for not helping this legend on time. Shame on you and Shame on us. pic.twitter.com/hR1QPNoxSZ
— khurram shahzad (@kalmanacpk) May 12, 2018
Shame on the govt and all institutions we couldn’t give a sigh of relief to 94 hockey world cup hero ah mansoor ahmed is no more till his last breath he appealed and hoped but all in vain. Sorry mansoor im ashamed may your soul rest in peace #mansoorahmad #Heros #PakistanZindabad pic.twitter.com/GBGlA4qJZp
— saqib Ali Sajid (@SakibSajid) May 12, 2018
Such a shame we couldn’t even provide proper treatment to one of our biggest hockey legends. He required a heart transplant yet no one in the echelons of power even bothered to help him out…. https://t.co/rITV7OQs39
— Saad Bari (@SaadBari_) May 12, 2018
In an incredibly emotional video released from his hospital bed last month, Mansoor had said, “I may have broken a lot of Indian hearts on the field of play by beating India in the Indira Gandhi Cup (1989) and in other events but that was sport. Now I need a heart transplant in India and for that I need support from the Indian government.”
The legendary goalkeeper, who played 338 international matches for Pakistan and took part in three Olympics spanning from 1986 to 2000, went on to add, “Humanity is paramount and I too would be obliged if I get a visa and other help in India… We have had a great rivalry and sports have helped on a number of occasions so that should continue.”
49-year-old Mansoor was also the flag bearer at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics for his country before being adjudge the best goalkeeper by International Hockey Federation (FIH) in 1994.
A day after his appeal, the Chennai Hockey Association had volunteered to help with leading surgeons in the Tamil Nadu capital confirming that they had been contacted by his doctors.
“They have sent me his medical records and have asked me to help. We are looking into it,” said senior heart transplant surgeon Dr K R Balakrishnan was quoted by Times of India.
Though Mansoor was also offered help by Pakistan, he had refused insisting that he expected to be saved only in India through a heart transplant. But, he didn’t get the visa in the end. What followed his video plea was hatred with nationalists on the both sides of the border. The messages posted in response to a dying sporting legend’s desperate plea showed just how cruel the society had become. Even fake stories were created to portray him a villain.
I can assure all that even after getting an Indian heart this Mansoor Ahmed will remain a Muslim 1st, India hater 2nd, Paki 3rd, sportsman 4th and a human last. https://t.co/UKoveMBMQb
— Tapan Ghosh (@hstapanghosh) April 24, 2018
So this pakistani who had stripped himself in India refused help of Pakistan and wanted Indias help.
All Pakistanis when on death bed want 2 come 2 India…the eternal HinduismKudos 2 @SushmaSwaraj 4 the stand Till mr Jadhav is back no friendly gesturehttps://t.co/FEF4tVsBPw
— Sandeep Singh (@communalsandeep) May 13, 2018
I can assure all that even after getting an Indian heart this Mansoor Ahmed will remain a Muslim 1st, India hater 2nd, Paki 3rd, sportsman 4th and a human last. https://t.co/UKoveMBMQb
— Tapan Ghosh (@hstapanghosh) April 24, 2018
We must give him VISA and medical treatment only after he signs a document saying “Kashmir is Integral Part of India”
— Vijay Cherlapally (@Cherlapally09) April 24, 2018
Hope those who vehemently opposed his plea for a visa must be rejoicing today. For, their wish to have one more innocent human being dead is granted. If this not sadism, then what is. So that’s what we have become, a sadist society, which draws pleasures from seeing people in pain.