Former India hockey left-winger Usman Khan passes away
Darpan News Desk IANS, 04 Jun, 2021 01:17 PM
New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) Former India hockey player Usman Khan has passed away following a prolonged battle with cancer, Hockey India announced on Friday. The stylish left-winger was 76.
Khan is survived by three sons and a daughter, and was based in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh.
A retired Assistant Commissioner of Customs, Chennai, he was a stylish left winger. He played hockey at the Madrasi Azam Ground before shifting to Kolkata and joining the Customs. In Kolkata, Khan played for the Calcutta Customs and also represented Bengal in the National Championships for several years.
"He is remembered for his excellent abilities as a left-winger and was a very stylish player in those times. On behalf of Hockey India, I extend our deepest condolences to his family in this moment of grief," said president Gyanendro Ningombam.
The seven feet two inches tall, 131 kilogram Indian was picked by Dallas Mavericks in the NBA draft. He is currently playing for Texas Legends in the NBA Development League.
He can chuckle about it now, but former Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella calls his role in a brawl against the Calgary Flames two years ago "one of the biggest mistakes I made during my career."
While his club was enjoying success on the pitch, Vancouver's captain was mostly miserable off it because of successive calf and hamstring ailments he couldn't shake.
The Vancouver Canucks defenceman had just lost the puck and was trying to get back in position with his team clinging to a late lead against the Rangers when a wild slapshot from New York's Dan Boyle slammed into his face
