Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport. Pakistan has dominated this game at the international level. In the past, Pakistan’s successes in hockey were largely due to the outstanding performances and brilliant play of world-renowned players. Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui is one such shining and illustrious star of Pakistan hockey, without whose name the history of Pakistan hockey remains incomplete.

Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, who was born on 10 January 1948 in Meerut (India), was his mother’s beloved son. The love and care of his mother, Zareena Khatoon, helped him attain a distinguished position in life. The former captain of the national hockey team says that his mother passed away many years ago, but her advice and words are still fresh in his memory. Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui says that whatever he has achieved in life is the result of his mother’s prayers.

Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, who played at the right-out position, enjoyed the golden phase of his career in 1978. Under his leadership, Pakistan became champions by defeating the Netherlands 3–2 in the fourth Hockey World Cup final held in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In the same year, under the captaincy of Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, Pakistan won the first Champions Trophy held in Lahore and then completed a grand slam by winning the Asian Games gold medal in Bangkok, Thailand.

Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui is an integral part of the golden history of Pakistan hockey. In 1972, under the leadership of Olympian Khalid Mahmood, he was a member of the world champion team in Barcelona, Spain. In 1975, under his own captaincy, Pakistan secured second position in the World Cup held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Islahuddin won a silver medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Representing Pakistan from 1967 to 1978, Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui scored 137 goals in 130 international matches. He also served as captain of the Pakistan hockey team in 45 matches.

Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui served as the head coach and manager of the Pakistan hockey team at the 1990 World Cup in Lahore, where the national team finished as runners-up under the leadership of the late Olympian Qazi Mohib. He also served as the head coach and manager of the national hockey team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, who remained associated with the International Hockey Federation’s Rules Board for 17 years, has also served as chairman of the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s selection committee, in addition to holding the positions of manager and head coach.

Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui is a respected and prominent name in Pakistan hockey at the international level. Pakistan hockey, a four-time world champion and three-time Olympic champion, is today fighting for its survival. The sport in which Pakistan once dominated now needs figures like Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui individuals who can strive at both national and international levels to restore Pakistan hockey to its lost glory.

Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui is a name in Pakistan hockey who has played an outstanding role in the national sport not only as a player but also as an administrator. The Government of Pakistan has acknowledged his services to hockey by awarding him the Pride of Performance in 1982 and the Sitara-e-Imtiaz in 2010.

In Karachi, Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui is training future hockey players at the Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah Olympian Islahuddin Academy, under the supervision of Olympians. Without Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, the history of Pakistan hockey remains incomplete.