Malik Ata Muhammad Khan (
, pnb, , 25 October 1937 – 6 February 2020), popularly known as Prince Malik Ata was a Pakistani
feudal lord
An overlord in the English feudal system was a lord of a manor who had subinfeudated a particular manor, estate or fee, to a tenant. The tenant thenceforth owed to the overlord one of a variety of services, usually military service or se ...
and politician. He was the chief of Kot Fateh Khan in
Attock District of North Western Punjab,
Pakistan
Pakistan ( ur, ), officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan ( ur, , label=none), is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country, with a population of almost 243 million people, and has the world's second-lar ...
. He was also a member of the Punjab Assembly between 1990 and 1993.
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
The International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF, ar, الاتحاد الدولی لإلتقاط الأوتاد), formerly known as the World Tent Pegging Federation is the international governing body of the Equestrian discipline of tent pegging. ...
which is recognised by the
FEI.
He was the Vice-President of International Tent Pegging Federation.
History
He was the Maternal Grandson of Sir Sardar Muhammad Nawaz Khan Gheba who was the chief of The Gheba-Mughal tribe and of Kot Fateh estate compromising 84 villages conquered by his predecessor nearly 350 years ago. He was made The head of the family by his maternal grandfather Sardar Muhammad Nawaz khan Gheba because the Sardar did not have any male child and thus Malik ata being his eldest grandson was given the responsibility. He was the son of Malik Yar Muhammad Khan who was married to the eldest daughter of Sardar Muhammad Nawaz khan Gheba.He Belonged to the Jodhra Rajput clan and was actually descended from a younger brother of the Nawab of Pindigheb who was the chief of the Jodhra Rajput clan. He was son in law of Nawab Malik Ameer Muhammad Khan Awan (Nawab Of Kalabagh), ex Governor of West Pakistan.
Political career
In 1988, he contested election on the Islami Jamhoori Ittihad (IJI) platform
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.
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.
Participation in international events
Malik Ata has taken part in tent pegging and other equestrian championships in Europe, South Africa, Australia, the United States and India.
*In 1982, Ata participated in the Ninth Asian Games held in
Delhi
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders ...
, winning the silver medal for Pakistan.
*Ata with Pakistan team took part in 1982
Hyde Park
Hyde Park may refer to:
Places
England
* Hyde Park, London, a Royal Park in Central London
* Hyde Park, Leeds, an inner-city area of north-west Leeds
* Hyde Park, Sheffield, district of Sheffield
* Hyde Park, in Hyde, Greater Manchester
Austra ...
games in London.
*Ata led Pakistan tent pegging team at the annual
Royal Adelaide Show
The Royal Adelaide Show is an annual carnival and agricultural show run by the Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia. It is held at the Adelaide Showground, a dedicated venue located in Wayville, a suburb of Adelaide, ...
2010 held in
Adelaide
Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...
, South Australia.
*Ata led the Pakistan team in the Penta Grand World Equestrian Tent Pegging Championship in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
*Ata was invited by the FEI to give a demonstration of tent pegging at the
2014 FEI World Equestrian Games
The 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games were held in the region of Normandy, France. It was the seventh edition of the Games, which are held every four years and run by the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI). For team even ...
held in
Normandy
Normandy (; french: link=no, Normandie ; nrf, Normaundie, Nouormandie ; from Old French , plural of ''Normant'', originally from the word for "northman" in several Scandinavian languages) is a geographical and cultural region in Northwestern ...
, France. On the opening day he was honoured to lead all the countries of the world with the Pakistani flag held.
*An international tent pegging competition was held in February 2013 at
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
The University of Agriculture (UAF) is a public research university in Faisalabad, Pakistan.
History Origins
The University of Agriculture, Faisalabad (Urdu: ), (formerly: ''Punjab Agricultural College and Research Institute''), is a univers ...
. This was the first time more than two international teams visited Pakistan to participate in an international event,
with the competitors being England, Pakistan, South Africa and a United Nations team.
The teams were invited by Malik Ata who was the chief organiser.
International Tent Pegging Federation
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.
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.
Media appearances
He was mentioned in
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
...
.
during his trip to South Asia visited Malik Ata's home town.
He witnessed some traditional activities and bulls race event there.
He was the subject of a short documentary produced by the BBC entitled "One Man and his Horse" in 1983.
Malik Ata was also subject of a documentary "Malik Ata and his love for the traditional sports". It was presented by
Channel with the co operation of BBC. Producer Sophia Swire along with her team visited traditional bulls at Kot Fateh Khan.
.
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.