ISLAMABAD: In a major step aimed at reviving the country’s fading hockey fortunes, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has unveiled an ambitious nationwide talent hunt and grassroots development programme designed to identify and nurture young players from across the country.
The initiative, launched under the banner of the “National Hockey Coaching Initiative 2026”, seeks to rebuild the national game from the grassroots level by establishing a structured development network focused on schools and under-15 players.
The programme is being introduced in line with the sports-friendly vision of the Government of Pakistan and under the leadership and patronage of PHF President Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani, who has stressed the need for long-term planning to restore Pakistan’s lost glory in international hockey.
Under the ambitious plan, a countrywide coaching and talent identification system will be established to provide professional training opportunities for coaches, distribute hockey equipment among educational institutions and create a sustainable talent pipeline for future national teams.
As part of the first phase, a three-week elite coaching programme will be organised in Islamabad where selected coaches from different regions will undergo modern technical and tactical training under qualified experts. Upon completion of the programme, certified coaches will be deployed in various districts to work directly with emerging young players and promote hockey at the local level.
The PHF believes that empowering coaches at the grassroots will help identify raw talent at an early stage and provide aspiring players with proper guidance, training facilities and competitive opportunities.
In another landmark move, the federation has also announced the inaugural National Under-15 Hockey Championship, scheduled to be held in November 2026. The event will serve as a platform for talented youngsters from districts across the country to showcase their skills and compete at the national level.
The championship will be organised under the supervision of the Inter-Provincial Coordination Ministry and the Pakistan Sports Board, with PHF officials hoping it will mark the beginning of a new era for Pakistan hockey.
PHF President termed the initiative a long-term investment in the future of the national sport, insisting that consistent grassroots development remains the only viable path towards restoring Pakistan’s dominance in world hockey. “This is the real and sustainable way through which we can once again take our national game to the top,” Wani said.
