Revival of Hockey Impossible Without School-Level Promotion, Says Olympian Rahim Khan
Revival of Hockey Impossible Without School-Level Promotion, Says Olympian Rahim Khan
PESHAWAR: Former Olympian, ex-captain of the Pakistan national hockey team, and internationally renowned player Rahim Khan has said that the primary reason for the current decline of hockey in Pakistan is the lack of attention at the grassroots level. He emphasized that without structured and consistent hockey activities in schools, colleges, and universities, it is impossible to revive the national sport or reclaim Pakistan’s lost status on the international stage.
Rahim Khan was speaking at the Sports Heroes Awards ceremony held at Nishtar Hall in Peshawar, where prominent athletes, coaches, organizers, and personalities from various sports disciplines were in attendance.
“In the past, hockey flowed in the veins of Pakistanis,” said Rahim Khan. “But over time, we have drifted away from our national sport. If we want to attract youth back to hockey, the first step is to revive it at the school level by developing infrastructure, appointing qualified coaches, and organizing regular competitions.”
He expressed disappointment over the lack of concrete steps taken by successive governments to promote hockey, stating that a nation which once dominated the world stage now finds itself missing from global rankings. “We need a transparent, merit-based system free from political interference to ensure young players can step onto the field with confidence and pride,” he added.
Rahim Khan urged federal and provincial sports authorities, especially the Directorate of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Hockey Federation, and the Ministry of Education, to integrate hockey into the academic curriculum and ensure that every district hosts a School Hockey League. “Unless children get the opportunity to hold a hockey stick from a young age, we won’t be able to produce the next Wasim Ahmed, Shahbaz Senior, or Hassan Sardar,” he remarked.
Highlighting the challenges faced by aspiring players, Rahim Khan noted that many passionate and hardworking youngsters fail to progress due to the absence of basic facilities, trained coaches, and opportunities. He proposed the establishment of at least one fully-equipped hockey academy in every zone, division, and district, where children can receive regular training under professional guidance.
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to play their part in bringing hockey back to life in Pakistan, starting from the grassroots level and building up towards national pride.
