Pakistan to host FIH Nations Cup

ISLAMABAD BUREAU —Pakistan will host the next FIH Nations Cup, with ten international teams expected to compete in the tournament as the country steps up efforts to revive its fortunes in hockey. International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram made the announcement at an event in Islamabad focused on the revival of Pakistan hockey.

The federal government also pledged its full support to the national federation. Ikram said the Nations Cup was a major international competition, ranking among hockey's biggest events after the World Cup and the Olympic Games. He also announced that the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad had been approved as an official FIH High Performance Centre, a move expected to support player development and improve training facilities.

The FIH president stressed that Pakistan needed to improve its hockey governance structure and invest in the national team's preparations if it hoped to return to the top level of international competition. He said players needed financial support, modern training facilities and access to coaches who met international standards.

Ikram also said India should come to Pakistan to play hockey. Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Rana Sanaullah said hockey remained a source of national identity and pride, recalling Pakistan's history as a leading force in the sport. However, he acknowledged that the country's recent performances had been disappointing and said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed the government to give hockey special attention.

"The government stands with the hockey federation," Sanaullah said, urging the PHF to prepare a comprehensive plan for the sport's revival. He pledged that the government would provide players with the necessary facilities and support, while calling on senior former players to contribute to rebuilding the game.

Sanaullah also said Pakistan needed people committed to representing the country rather than those who had brought politics into hockey. PHF president Mohyuddin Wani said efforts were being made at the government level to promote the sport and described the event as an important step towards a new era for Pakistan hockey.

National Assembly member Zeb Jaffar said hosting a ten-team international tournament would help promote hockey in the country. She described the agreement between the PHF and FIH as a milestone.