Ali Dara

Who was Ali Dara?

Ali Iqtidar Shah Dara was an Indian and later Pakistani field hockey player who competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics and the 1948 Summer Olympics.

In 1936 he was a member of the Indian field hockey team, which won the gold medal. He played two matches as forward.

Twelve years later he participated in the 1948 tournament for Pakistan. He played all seven matches as forward. Pakistan finished fourth after a replay bronze medal match against the Netherlands.

Dara was also a serving officer in the Indian Army. His Regiment was sent to Malaysia during the Second World War, where Dara was captured and soon after joined the Indian National Army.