Legendary hockey superstar Sohail Abbas stands as a towering figure in the world of hockey….
COVER STORY
Legendary hockey superstar Sohail Abbas stands as a towering figure in the world of hockey. Revered as the ‘King of the drag flick’, he holds an astonishing record of 348 goals, which not only dethroned the legendary Paul Litjens but also solidified his status as one of the greatest players to ever grace the field.
His journey began at a young age, where his passion for hockey quickly propelled him to the junior level. By 1998, he had made his mark on the international stage with his debut against India. With an impressive 315 caps, Abbas etched his name into the annals of sports history, becoming Pakistan’s top scorer in both the Olympics and World Cups, notching an impressive 21 hat-tricks along the way.
Beyond his impressive stats – like scoring 60 goals in a single calendar year and amassing 268 international goals – Sohail’s influence stretches beyond the pitch. He is immensely kind at heart. In the aftermath of Pakistan’s devastating earthquake in 2005, he led a remarkable fundraising initiative by partnering with the Rotterdam City Council and organizing friendly matches that featured players from Australia, Germany, India, and the Netherlands; he was able to channel much-needed support to the affected communities through various international relief organizations.
Not only did Sohail earn the prestigious Pride of Performance award, but his relentless determination and explosive talent also garnered him the FIH Player of the Year award from 1999 to 2004. He became the fastest player to reach milestones like 100 and 200 international goals and is the record holder for the most goals in a single edition of the Asia Cup.
Today, he continues to impart his wisdom and experience as the assistant coach for penalty corners for the Malaysian national hockey team, a fitting role for someone whose legacy continues to inspire the next generation of hockey enthusiasts. His story is not just one of personal triumph; it’s a testament to how sports can unite, uplift, and transform lives. The Government of Pakistan should acknowledge his outstanding contribution and history of world records by bestowing him the highest civil award.
Us: What does success really mean to you?
Sohail Abbas: For me, it’s all about peace of mind. Money or fame doesn’t vibe if your contentment is missing.
Us: What is your biggest achievement in life?
SA: Honestly, it’s all thanks to Allah’s blessings that I got the chance to represent my country on an international level.
Us: What role did your parents play in your life?
SA: My father, Syed Iftikhar Hussain, was a former first-class cricketer. He always told me to follow my heart and do what I really wanted. My mom was all about focusing on my studies, but Dad didn’t put any pressure on me, which was chill.
Us: What lesson have you learned from life?
SA: When you tackle things with honesty, you’ll find the blessings of the Almighty guiding you towards your goals and success.
Us: How can someone shield themselves from failure?
SA: Just remember that you hold the power to save yourself from failure. First off, you need to recognize that you can’t get anything unless Allah wills it.
Us: What do you notice about the differences between Pakistani hockey players and European players?
SA: Our players are naturally strong and excel individually. But when it comes to fitness facilities, diet, and investment in the sport, we’re lagging behind. We definitely need some quality training and resources.
Us: How has hockey transformed from your time?
SA: The game has flipped! Back in my day, we played two halves of 35 minutes each, but now it’s broken into four quarters of 15 minutes. This shift has totally upped the speed and intensity, requiring players to be super fit and develop their fast-twitch muscle fibre with a focus on CrossFit, plyometrics, and high-intensity training, unlike back when it was all about basic endurance and running marathons.
Us: How has social media changed the game?
SA: Honestly, I’ve never really relied on social media. People often use it to get noticed, but I focus on honing my skills and let my game do the talking. I keep a strong connection with Allah and always turn to Him for guidance after giving my all with sincerity.
Us: Your advice to young hockey players?
SA: The focus of a player should be on effort, not the outcome, and that requires fostering a positive mindset.
My teenage years
My birthday falls on
9th June.
The best thing about being a teenager was
Waking up and sleeping without a care in the world.
The worst thing about teenage life was
Always second-guessing if our choices are the right ones.
My favourite and least favourite school subject were
I loved mathematics, but Urdu was definitely a tough nut to crack.
I bunked classes when
Not really, since sports were my jam. We typically had two free periods dedicated to sports.
My unforgettable achievement was
Breaking the world record of Sir Paul Litjens while playing against India in their home ground in 2004.
My most favourite television serial was
Mann Chalay Ka Sauda.
A triumph that made me shine was
The fact that I hold the record for the highest [number of] goals scored in field hockey – 348!
My fitness regimen was
My fitness routine adapts based on my goals to finetune my game techniques.
My message is
Keep that positive vibe going!
DATE . July/14/2025
