Shahid Afridi-led NBP sports initiative begins shortlisting talent to form new national hockey team
Shahid Afridi-led NBP sports initiative begins shortlisting talent to form new national hockey team
By Nawaz Gohar ; Former Pakistan cricket captain and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) Sports Advisor Shahid Khan Afridi, along with his sports management team, visited Islamabad to formally commence the selection process for NBP’s brand-new hockey squad.
During the visit, Afridi’s team launched a comprehensive trial and shortlisting process to identify promising young players from across the region to form the core of the bank's upcoming official hockey department.
This initiative marks a historic milestone for Pakistan hockey, as one of the country’s premier public sector financial institutions steps forward to establish a dedicated, permanent sports team on the national circuit.
Welcoming the development, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) highlighted that NBP’s proactive entry will not only create secure employment opportunities for emerging athletes but also provide them with a highly professional environment and incentive structure to excel at the highest level.
Sports analysts and former players have lauded the move, noting that corporate and institutional backing of this caliber is indispensable for restoring Pakistan hockey to its golden era and securing a sustainable future for the nation’s youth.
