MANSEHRA, Sept 3 (IN): The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in collaboration with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Board, Education Department and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association, has launched a grassroots hockey development drive aimed at nurturing young talent and reviving the national sport.As part of the initiative, a ceremony was held in Mansehra under the directions of PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, where hockey equipment and complete kit bags were distributed among Under-15 teams representing more than 24 government schools across Mansehra and Kaghan.Additional Secretary IPC Zaka Ullah Khattak attended the ceremony as chief guest, while Deputy Commissioner Mansehra Khalid Iqbal Khattak was the guest of honour.
They appreciated the efforts to provide young players with opportunities, equipment and structured training at the school level.The event was also attended by PHF Selection Committee Member and Olympian Naeem Akhtar, Chief Coach Directorate General of Sports KP Shafqat Ullah, District Education Officer, District Sports Officer, Principal GHHS No. 1 Mansehra, school principals, Olympians, representatives of the PHF and Provincial Hockey Association, coaches, players and a large number of sports enthusiasts.Officials announced that the Under-15 National Hockey Championship will be held in January 2027, providing young players an opportunity to compete at the national level.Under the next phases of the project, the distribution of hockey equipment and the programme will be extended to other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Abbottabad, as well as Faisalabad, South Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
The initiative seeks to attract children to hockey from an early age, provide them with structured coaching and identify promising talent at the grassroots level to develop a strong pipeline for Pakistan’s national team.Players, school administrations and sports officials welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step towards strengthening school hockey and restoring the country’s standing in its national sport.
