HAYWARD, CA: In the recently concluded hockey tournament in San Jose, one player was admired by all not only for his display on the field but also for his sober and gentle manners off the field. He is truly a class by himself. According to Rizwan Khan, a class player “knows how (o get out of any problem.” He showed on the hockey field his true class.
Born and raised in Karachi Pakistan, Rizwan studied in Habib school, a top ‘school over there. His uncle Zaffer Ahmed is an ex Pakistan player, who played in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics Rizwan now resides in Hayward. He had attended a training camp for the Parisian team before coming to USA. His father was with Parisian customs which boasted a good team. Along the way Rizwan picked up the fundamentals of hockey, cricket and tennis.
Hockey here in this country is physical ‘and “skill is not there.” He says there are ‘more people playing the game in Southern California. More Americans than Asians are taking up hockey.
‘At the moment Rizwan is attending a flying school to become a pilot. He has clocked more than 250 flying hours to gain his license in 2 to 3 months’ time He ‘manages a video store in Hayward and finds time to coach in the evening.
Rizwan is single and plans to marry sometime in the near future. The Western culture according to him, “is too open,” and the eastern is “too closed”. Continuing further he adds, “I prefer the middle path, learn a lot by mixing with people.
Pressed harder on his single status, Rizwan elaborated about going back 10 Pakistan and being married in an arranged ‘match. “For me its love after marriage and not before marriage as in this country.” My family is a big asset, and there is no ‘generation gap.” He has cosmopolitan tastes, when it comes to eating but “Biryani” is his favorite.
Good luck Rizwan, may you find someone nice to share your goals and dreams.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 22, 1989
