The British sporting community is mourning the loss of Imran Sherwani, the hockey legend who played a pivotal role in Great Britain's historic Olympic gold medal victory in 1988. Sherwani has passed away at the age of 63, as confirmed by his family.
An Olympic Hero's Finest Hour
Sherwani secured his place in British sporting history during the 1988 Seoul Olympics final, where he scored two crucial goals in Great Britain's 3-1 triumph over West Germany. His second goal effectively sealed the victory and prompted one of the most memorable commentaries in BBC history, when Barry Davies famously declared: "Where were the Germans? But frankly, who cares!"
This moment created dawn-time celebrations across the UK and remains British hockey's greatest achievement. Sherwani represented both Great Britain and England throughout his career, earning 94 international caps that culminated in that glorious Seoul performance.
Personal Battle and Lasting Legacy
In 2021, Sherwani revealed he had been diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's disease two years earlier in 2019. His family has since been actively working to raise awareness about the condition while celebrating his remarkable sporting achievements.
Sherwani came from an impressive sporting lineage. His father played hockey for Pakistan, while his great uncles were professional footballers for Stoke City and Port Vale. He also made history as the third Asian player to represent Great Britain, following in the footsteps of Sutinder Kehar and his 1988 teammate Kulbir Bhaura.
Remembering a Modest Champion
Despite his international fame, Sherwani often expressed particular pride in his club achievements with Leek Hockey Club, which he joined in 1996. The club described him as "one of Leek HC's greatest players and arguably their most influential," noting that he catalyzed an unprecedented period of success.
In a surprising revelation, Sherwani frequently stated that his proudest moment wasn't the Olympic gold, but rather Leek's 6-2 victory against Old Georgians in 2003 that secured promotion to the National League. This humility characterized the man remembered by Great Britain Hockey's chief operating officer Rich Beer as possessing "talent, leadership and humility [that] inspired generations of players and fans alike."
Reflecting on his Olympic-winning goal, Sherwani once shared: "Batch [Steve Batchelor] did the German and I just carried on for his pass and met it as it came across and slotted home. It was just incredible and I think we knew then. It felt like that was it. I still get emotional about it. The win, the team, it is all just a fantastic story and I am privileged and fortunate enough to be part of it."
His legacy extends beyond the hockey pitch, touching lives through his sporting achievements and his family's ongoing work to raise Alzheimer's awareness.
