Hockey stick and ball were reportedly stolen from the statue of Hockey player Samiullah Khan erected in Bahawalpur. Pictures of the statue without hockey and ball were being circulated on social media on weekends.
The statue was erected at the Hospital Chowk in the Olympian’s hometown of Bahawalpur. It was placed to honor his legacy who was popularly known as ‘Flying Horse’. Residents say few days after the installation, the hockey stick was seen missing following that the ball was also reportedly stolen.
They came, they saw, they left with hockey and the ball. Thieves steal from Samiullah Khan’s statue in Bahawalpur. pic.twitter.com/B9Df6Lg0zG
— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) July 18, 2021
The authorities took notice and re-erected new hockey and a ball with the statue. Police have registered the case of theft at Cantt Police Station.
As the pictures went viral on social media, Twitteratis expressed remorse on the theft of hockey and ball. Users said that it is a shame how even the statues of the national icons are on the radar of thieves. Others said that there is a poor custom of honoring the legends and national heroes in Pakistan.
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Rare efforts like these to respect the heroes are also subjected to controversy. The incident reflects badly upon the morals of the society also the desperation of people that they did not even spare hockey and a ball if left unguarded by the authorities. Users have demanded the authorities to quickly arrest the culprits.
Thieves stole a hockey stick and a ball from the statue of hockey great Samiullah Khan installed in his hometown of Bahawalpur.
سب مل کے بولو سبحان اللہ! pic.twitter.com/y8fPtLvpti
— Rai M. Azlan (@Mussanaf) July 19, 2021
DPO also took notice of the issue and he reassured citizens that the hockey and ball have been re-erected with the statue. As per the reports, Police made raids to arrest the culprits. DPO also assured to arrest the culprits.
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Samiullah Khan has played for Pakistan between 1973 and 1982. At the FIH World Cups, he was a member of two winning teams: 1978 and 1982. He also won a silver medal in the 1975 World Cup. He appeared in just one Olympics in 1976 where Pakistan won bronze.