Malik Ata Muhammad Khan

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan (Urdu, Punjabi: ملک عطا محمد خان, 25 October 1937 – 6 February 2020), popularly known as Prince Malik Ata was a Pakistani feudal lord and politician. He was the chief of Kot Fateh Khan in Attock District of North Western Punjab, Pakistan. He was also a member of the Punjab Assembly between 1990 and 1993.

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan
ملک عطا محمد خان
Vice-President, Member of Executive Committee of International Tent Pegging Federation/ President of the Equestrian & Tent Pegging Federation of Pakistan.
Personal details
Born
Malik Ata Muhammad Khan

(1937-10-25)25 October 1937
British India
Died6 February 2020(2020-02-06) (aged 82)
Attock
CitizenshipPakistan
NationalityPakistani
Spouse(Daughter of Nawab of Kalabagh)
RelativesNawab Malik Ameer Muhammad khan (Father-in-law)
Residence(s)Kot Fateh Khan, District of Attock
OccupationHSH Prince (Malik) of Principality of Kot Fateh Khan

Malik Ata was known for his equestrian hobbies. He was the first elected President of the Equestrian & Tent Pegging Federation of Pakistan. He was well known in Pakistan for his attempts to promote tentpegging and bull races. He was one of the founders of the International Tent Pegging Federation which is recognised by the FEI.[1] He was the Vice-President of International Tent Pegging Federation.[2]

History edit

He was the maternal grandson of Sir Sardar Muhammad Nawaz Khan Gheba who was the chief of the Gheba-Rajput[3][4][5][circular reference] tribe. He was the son of Malik Yar Muhammad Khan, who was married to the eldest daughter of Sardar Muhammad Nawaz Khan Gheba.

Political career edit

In 1988, he contested election on the Islami Jamhoori Ittihad (IJI) platform[6] Thereafter in 1990, Malik Ata Muhammad Khan again contested the election from his home constituency (PP-15 – Attock) and was elected and served the provincial assembly of the Punjab from 5 November 1990 to 28 June 1993.[7] After his father's death in 1996, he assumed the responsibilities of the family and management of the estate, hence why he was unable to continue his work in politics.[6]

Participation in international events edit

 
Malik Ata's style of tent pegging (step by step)

Malik Ata has taken part in tent pegging and other equestrian championships in Europe, South Africa, Australia, the United States and India.

When the horse is running 65 to 70 miles per hour and you have to pick a small, one-inch peg from the ground it is very spectacular, either with the sword or with the lance"

— Malik Ata recalls the events of Delhi 1982 at Barkah Equestrian Ground, [8]
  • In 1982, Ata participated in the Ninth Asian Games held in Delhi, winning the silver medal for Pakistan.[8]
  • Ata with Pakistan team took part in 1982 Hyde Park games in London.[9]
  • Ata led Pakistan tent pegging team at the annual Royal Adelaide Show 2010 held in Adelaide, South Australia.[10]
  • Ata led the Pakistan team in the Penta Grand World Equestrian Tent Pegging Championship in 2010, 2012 and 2013.[citation needed]
 
Malik Ata with Pakistan team at world equestrian games France 2014
  • Ata was invited by the FEI to give a demonstration of tent pegging at the 2014 FEI World Equestrian Games held in Normandy, France. On the opening day he was honoured to lead all the countries of the world with the Pakistani flag held.[citation needed]
  • An international tent pegging competition was held in February 2013 at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. This was the first time more than two international teams visited Pakistan to participate in an international event,[11] with the competitors being England, Pakistan, South Africa and a United Nations team.[12] The teams were invited by Malik Ata who was the chief organiser.[13][14]

International Tent Pegging Federation edit

In his preliminary address at the 2013 World Equestrian Tent Pegging Championship held in Gurgaon, India, Ata expressed the desire for a world organisation to address the FEI. The participants created the World Tent Pegging Federation, of which Ata was elected honorary president.[1][15] At the second World Tent Pegging Federation Meeting held in Oman on 27 October 2013, Ata was elected a member of the Executive Committee to serve for four years.[16]

Media appearances edit

He was mentioned in BBC series Michael Palin's Himalaya production.[17] Michael Palin during his trip to South Asia visited Malik Ata's home town.[17] He witnessed some traditional activities and bulls race event there.[18]

He was the subject of a short documentary produced by the BBC entitled "One Man and his Horse" in 1983.[19]

Malik Ata was also subject of a documentary "Malik Ata and his love for the traditional sports". It was presented by Trans World Sport Channel with the co operation of BBC. Producer Sophia Swire along with her team visited traditional bulls at Kot Fateh Khan.[20]

He also appeared in PTV's 1998 drama Alpha Bravo Charlie produced by ISPR and directed by Pakistani drama and film director Shoaib Mansoor.[21]

He appeared in the movie "Verna", played the role of a governor (released on 17 November 2017). Many scenes have been shot in his haveli at Kot Fateh Khan.

Photo gallery edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Minutes / Minutes of the inaugural meeting held at the Best Western Sky City Hotel محضر الاجتماعl / pdf file". World Tent Pegging Federation. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013.
  2. ^ "Malik Ata Muhammad Khan / Detail". worldtentpegging.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 14 September 2014.
  3. ^ See Griffin and Massey, Chiefs and Families of Note in the Punjab Lahore, 1899, along with detailed appendices of pedigree tables
  4. ^ Gazetteer of the Attock District, 1930, Part 1" (Punjab district gazetteers) Author Punjab (Pakistan) Edition 2, reprint Publisher Sang-e-Meel Publications, 1932 Original from the University of Michigan Digitized Aug 29, 2008 Length 326 pages Subjects Histoy
  5. ^ "Gazetteer of the Attock District, 1907", Author Punjab (Pakistan) Edition 2, reprint Publisher Sang-e-Meel Publications. Original from the University of Michigan Subjects Histo
  6. ^ a b "Malik Ata Muhammad Khan". kotfatehkhan.pk. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
  7. ^ "Members / Previous members from 1990 to 1993 / Detail". Punjab Assembly.
  8. ^ a b Ocasia (10 December 2010). "Article: Interview of Malik Ata at Barkah equestrian Grounds". Olympic Council of Asia. Oman. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  9. ^ "Miachael Palin, Himalaya, Day 4: Fatehjang / Detail". palinstravels.co.uk/. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
  10. ^ Andrew Graham (4 October 2010). "Profile: Pakistan team, 2010 royal Adelaide Show, day 05 tuesday". kangraphotos. Adelaide. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
  11. ^ Staff report (31 January 2013). "News: Three foreign teams to take part in tent pegging championships". Pakistantoday. Lahore.
  12. ^ Staff report (9 February 2013). "News: 5-day International Tent pegging competition begins in Faisalabad". CNBC Pakistan. Karachi. Archived from the original on 9 October 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  13. ^ Hound,Horse (12 February 2013). "Report: Medals for British tent peggers in Pakistan". Horse&Hound. United Kingdom. Retrieved 15 February 2014.
  14. ^ Blogger, guest (20 February 2013). "Article: A spot of tent pegging in Pakistan". Horseandcountrytv. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2013.
  15. ^ Pariwar, Vaibhav (26 March 2013). "News: The International Tent Pegging Championship 2–13". tentpeggingchampionship2013. India.
  16. ^ "World Tent Pegging Federation Meeting in Oman | International Tent Pegging Federation اﻻتحاد الدولى لﻻلتقاط اﻻوتاد". Archived from the original on 10 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2013.
  17. ^ a b Palin, Michael (10 December 2010). "Article: Himalaya, Day 4 Fateh Jang". Palins travels. UK. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
  18. ^ Palin, Michael (10 December 2010). "Article: Himalaya, Day 4 Fateh Jang". Palins travels. UK. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  19. ^ BBC (20 November 2013). "Video:BBC documentary about Malik Ata". Youtube. Pakistan. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  20. ^ "Trans World Sport / Traditional bulls race in Pakistan / Detail". Dailymotion. 31 October 2014.
  21. ^ Admin. "Article:Alpha Bravo Charlie". pakistanitvdrama. Pakistan. Retrieved 8 October 2014.