Pakistan launches school-based plan to revive national hockey

Officials in Pakistan have unveiled a new strategy aimed at reviving the country’s national sport by strengthening hockey at school and education-board level.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting of the National Education–Hockey Coordination Committee hosted by the Inter Boards Coordination Commission at its secretariat in Islamabad on 10 March.

The meeting, focused on rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey talent pipeline through the education system, was co-chaired by Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah and Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani.

During the session, the Federal Secretary for the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division presented the IBCC–PHF School and Inter-Board Hockey Revival Programme (2026–2029).

The programme — developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Hockey Federation — outlines a roadmap to rebuild Pakistan hockey by expanding the sport across schools and educational boards.

Officials said the initiative will focus on increasing participation in school hockey in Pakistan, organising inter-board hockey tournaments, and establishing a structured pathway for talented players to progress from grassroots level to the Pakistan men's national field hockey team.

The meeting was attended by directors of physical education from educational boards as well as former Olympians including Hassan Sardar, Islahuddin Siddique and Khwaja Junaid.

Participants welcomed the proposed strategy and expressed support for reviving Pakistan hockey through collaboration between sports authorities and the education sector.

A joint steering committee — which will include former Olympians and representatives from education boards — will oversee the implementation of the Pakistan school hockey revival programme and monitor its progress over the coming years.

Pakistan remains one of the most successful nations in the history of international hockey, but officials believe rebuilding the sport at grassroots level will be key to restoring its competitiveness on the global stage.