This year, Pakistan’s national hockey team reached the final of the Sultan Azlan Shah Hockey Cup for the first time in 13 years. In the six-nation annual contest held in Malaysia, Pakistan remained undefeated until its showdown with Japan in the final. The match ended in a draw, but Japan clinched first position in the penalty shootout. Though Pakistan’s team could not win gold, it won the hearts of millions.
Over 60 million people watched the final match between Pakistan and Japan live on Pakistan Television. When factoring in the viewers of private TV channels, it is estimated that over 100 million Pakistanis tuned in to watch the match live. This unprecedented viewership marks the first time in decades that Pakistan’s national sport has captured the widespread attention of an audience typically more passionate about cricket. This surge in interest reflects a significant shift, highlighting a rekindled national pride and enthusiasm for the sport, which had long been overshadowed by the country’s cricket fervour.
The current victory can be attributed to the tireless efforts of Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, who successfully negotiated to unite two hockey federations, a challenging task that ensured that the best talent was inducted into the national team.
Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir lauded the national hockey team for its outstanding performance. Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif hosted a ceremony in honour of the team in which each player was awarded Rs1 million and promised jobs in various departments. Army Chief General Asim Munir invited the hockey team to the General Headquarters to commend their achievement.
Hockey, once Pakistan’s most celebrated sport, has seen a significant decline over the decades due to various factors. The lack of proper infrastructure and facilities have hindered players’ development, while inadequate funding and mismanagement by sports authorities have also exacerbated the situation. Additionally, the global shift from natural grass to artificial turf in hockey has disadvantaged Pakistan, where facilities for such surfaces are limited. The rise of cricket as the dominant sport has also diverted public interest and resources away from hockey. Moreover, political instability and inconsistent sports policies have disrupted the growth and support needed for maintaining competitive standards. Consequently, these issues have collectively led to the waning of hockey’s prominence in Pakistan.
However, PML-N has pledged to not only revive Pakistan hockey’s past glory but also invest in the development of other sports. The credit for these initiatives goes to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif who made sports a priority in youth development.
Hockey’s management, long divided into two federations often working at cross purposes, has significantly undermined the performance of the team. The current victory can be attributed to the tireless efforts of Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, who oversees the Pakistan Sports Board, who successfully negotiated to unite two hockey federations, a challenging task that ensured that the best talent was inducted into the national team. During the Azlan Shah Hockey Tournament in Malaysia, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan remained in constant contact with the hockey team and management.
The government has created a sports endowment fund to ensure players’ economic security and has arranged for their job placement in various institutions.
Before the final match, he held a national press conference alongside Information Minister Attaullah Tarar at the Islamabad Press Club, which featured a live session with the hockey team on Zoom. This direct engagement strengthened the connection between Pakistan’s hockey team and the public, sparking interest and boosting viewership of the final match, thereby encouraging the players and enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.
It is hoped that the team will maintain the momentum and deliver outstanding performances in the future. Likewise, investment in other sports would start giving results in time.
Under the guidance of the prime minister and the capable leadership of Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme has shortlisted 12 sports for the upcoming Youth Talent Hunt Programme, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission and other institutions. To equip players with international-level education and training, the first sports university has been established in Islamabad. Furthermore, the government has created a sports endowment fund to ensure players’ economic security and has arranged for their job placement in various institutions. With these comprehensive initiatives, we can confidently say that Pakistan is poised to perform better in sports in the near future.
The writer is an educationist and teaches at the University of Central Punjab.
