Tent pegging champion Prince Malik Ata passes away

• Ata was chief of Kot Fateh Khan in Attock District and had served as Member of Punjab Assembly between 1990 and 1993.
• He was elected as president of Equestrian and Tent Pegging Association of Pakistan and was the founding member of International Tent Pegging Federation.
• Prince Ata was also mentioned in a BBC series “Michael Palin’s Himalaya Production" and acted in a few national films and dramas.

(Karachi) Malik Ata Muhammad Khan, popularly known as Prince Malik Ata, passed away on Thursday.  Malik Ata was considered as one of the pioneers and most stylish tent peggers in Pakistan.

Ata Khan was born on October 25, 1941, and was a feudal lord and former politician. He was also the chief of Kot Fateh Khan in Attock District and had served as Member of Punjab Assembly between 1990 and 1993.

However, after the death of his father in 1996, he bid farewell to politics.

From his childhood, Ata Khan had a passion for sports, especially tent pegging. He was elected as the president of Equestrian and Tent Pegging Association of Pakistan and promoted bull races and tent pegging. He also had the honour of being the founding members of International Tent Pegging Federation and served as its vice-president and executive committee member for several years.

He took active part in tent pegging competitions both nationally and internationally, including South Africa, Australia, United States, India and Europe. Ata won a number of competitions and awards for his flawless performances and was admired by enthusiasts worldwide.

He devoted his life for the promotion of tent pegging in Pakistan and worked tirelessly to create awareness among the people for the sport.

Prince Ata was also mentioned in a BBC series “Michael Palin’s Himalaya Production” in which Palin met Ata after visiting his hometown. In an interview with the British journalist, prince Ata quoted his famous saying, “I am one of the last dinosaurs and it will all finish with me.”

He was also the subject of short documentary produced by BBC “One Man and His Horse” in 1983. The former tent pegging champion also acted in national dramas and some films.