KARACHI: World Cup-winning field hockey goalkeeper Mansoor Ahmed on Monday refused the offer of having his heart transplant conducted in Pakistan.

“Pakistan does not have enough facilities, I want the transplant to be conducted in India,” Mansoor said.

The ailing sports star reached out to India last week and asked for help in securing a heart transplant — despite years of breaking the eastern neighbours’ “hearts on the field”.

The 49-year-old has been suffering for weeks from complications stemming from a pacemaker and stents implanted in his heart.

Mansoor has been a sporting icon in Pakistan since helping the country win the 1994 World Cup in Sydney with his penalty stroke save against the Netherlands in the final.

Mansoor — who played 338 international matches, participated in three Olympics and various other high-profile events in a career spanning from 1986 to 2000 — said the visa could be a lifesaver.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2018