ISLAMABAD: In a major uplift programme to restore Pakistan’s glory in its national game, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), has launched an ambitious nationwide “School Hockey Uplift Plan” to revive hockey at the grassroots level and create a strong talent pipeliThe year-long project, described as one of the most significant development initiatives in Pakistan hockey’s recent history, will initially cover 600 schools across the country, with the strength growing to 1000 by June 2027, providing the youth with complete and modern hockey equipment to encourage participation among young boys and girls.
President PHF Mohyuddin Wani told The News the programme is being implemented on an emergency footing with financial and technical backing from the Government of Pakistan, the Ministry and private-sector sponsors, reflecting a united national commitment towards rebuilding the sport from the ground up.
“The first phase of the project will ensure that 1,000 schools receive complete hockey kits and necessary equipment, creating opportunities for thousands of students to take up the game,” the spokesperson said.
The initiative is designed not only to increase participation but also to establish a structured talent identification system. Through inter-school competitions, coaching clinics and specialized training camps, promising young players from across the country will be spotted and nurtured.
President PHF believes that the project will culminate in the formation of a strong under-15 national pool providing Pakistan hockey with a fresh reservoir of talent capable of representing the country at the international level in the years ahead.
The PHF President emphasized that transparency would remain a cornerstone of the programme, assuring that all government and sponsor funds would be utilized in a fair and accountable manner to maximize the project’s reach and impact.
“This is not merely an equipment-distribution programme. It is a long-term investment in Pakistan hockey’s future. Every effort will be made to ensure that resources reach deserving schools and young players across the country,” the spokesperson added.
Sports circles have welcomed the initiative, viewing it as a crucial step towards addressing the longstanding decline in the sport and rebuilding the foundations that once made Pakistan a dominant force in world hockey.
With the Ministry of IPC, PSB and private stakeholders joining hands with the PHF, the School Hockey Uplift Plan is being seen as a historic effort to revive the sport’s lost prestige, strengthen grassroots development and lay the foundation for a new generation of hockey stars capable of carrying Pakistan’s rich hockey legacy forward.“Efforts will be to select those areas where artificial hockey turns are available or within a 12 km radius,” Wani said.
