By Nawaz Gohar ; The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has officially taken a giant stride toward restoring the country’s national sport to its former glory.

Following an uncompromisingly transparent selection process, the federation has unveiled a lethal 20-member Pakistan Senior Men’s Hockey Team slated to lock horns with the world’s elite in the upcoming FIH Pro League fixtures across Belgium and England.

The final roster was hammered out under the eagle-eyed scrutiny of the PHF Professional Development Committee (PDC), spearheaded by legendary hockey icons and Olympians Islahuddin Siddiqui and Hassan Sardar.

Following grueling national selection trials held between May 19 and 20, 2026, an initial shortlist of 21 players was meticulously pruned down to a high-performance 20-man squad based strictly on match fitness, form, and tactical merit.

The selected warriors who will wear the green shirts in Europe include:

Goalkeepers: Waqar, Ali Raza

Defenders: Abu Bakar, Arbaz Ahmad, Muhammad Abdullah, Sufyan Khan

Midfielders: Nadeem Khan, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Moin Shakeel, Hammad Anjum, Zikriya Hayat

Strikers: Ghazanfer Ali, M. Ammad, Rana Waleed, Abdul Rehman, Arfraz Khan, Rana Waheed, Ahmad Nadeem, Arshad Liaqat, Hannan Shahid.

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By Nawaz Gohar ;  After years of focusing primarily on the men’s circuit, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has officially signaled a strategic pivot toward the revitalization of the women’s game. In a high-profile move,

PHF President and Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Mohyuddin Wani, has entrusted former Deputy Mayor of Islamabad, Syed Zeeshan Naqvi, with the critical mandate of revolutionizing women’s hockey in the federal capital.

The announcement served as the centerpiece of the closing ceremony for the Shahida Raza Memorial Hockey Tournament, held at the historic Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium.

The event, named in honor of the late hockey stalwart, was attended by a distinguished gathering, including Ammara Awais Niazi (Patron, Islamabad Girls Hockey Academy), Event Secretary Riffat Masood, and several icons of the sport.

Addressing the gathering, Mohyuddin Wani articulated a clear vision for the national sport’s future. He emphasized that with the senior and junior men’s structures now stabilized, the federation’s “full weight” is being thrown behind the women’s department.

“The revival of Pakistan hockey is incomplete without the empowerment of our female athletes,” Wani remarked. “Our objective transcends mere participation; we are creating a framework of exposure and opportunity that will allow our women to compete on the global stage. Restoring Pakistan’s lost stature in hockey is a collective mission, and women’s development is now at the heart of that journey.”

The PHF President’s decision to enlist Syed Zeeshan Naqvi is seen by industry insiders as a move to bridge the gap between administrative policy and grassroots execution. Naqvi’s proven track record in the federal capital is expected to breathe new life into local academies and talent hunt initiatives.

On the turf, the final of the memorial tournament provided a glimpse into the raw potential waiting to be tapped. Olympian Zakir Hockey Academy Wah delivered a masterclass in attacking hockey, clinching the title with a commanding 7-0 victory over Islamabad Girls Hockey Academy.

The match belonged to the clinical Anaya Batool, who registered a spectacular hat-trick, while Shireen Fatima and Areeba Aslam added two goals apiece to complete the rout.

As Wani distributed the silverware amongst the athletes, the atmosphere at Naseer Bunda Stadium was one of cautious optimism. For a sport that has long yearned for its golden era, this fresh push for women’s hockey suggests that the path to revival may well be paved with inclusivity and renewed administrative vigor.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; The President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Mir Mohiuddin Wani, has reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the national sport to its former glory, announcing that a comprehensive and robust strategy is currently being implemented to elevate Pakistan’s global standing in hockey.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with “Sports Link,” President Wani detailed the federation’s multi-pronged approach, which prioritizes talent identification at the grassroots level, the strengthening of the domestic structure, and the modernization of the national coaching system to meet international standards.

President Wani emphasized that the federation is leaving no stone unturned in its efforts to revitalize the sport. The current roadmap focuses on:

Grassroots Scouting: Implementing systems to identify young talent across the country.

Infrastructure Strengthening: Revamping domestic tournaments to provide consistent competitive exposure.

Modern Coaching: Integrating contemporary scientific coaching methodologies to ensure Pakistani players can compete with top-tier international teams.

“Our goal is to ensure that Pakistan hockey once again establishes a formidable identity on the world stage,” Wani stated, underscoring the federation’s resolve to take all necessary steps for the sport’s promotion.

Addressing the long-awaited federation elections, President Wani confirmed that the electoral process is set to commence shortly. Central to this process is a rigorous scrutiny phase aimed at ensuring transparency and meritocracy within the sport’s governing tiers.

“The scrutiny process will involve a thorough evaluation of hockey clubs across the country. Every club will be required to demonstrate its active presence and operational activities on the field for a specified period to qualify,” Wani explained.

The President further clarified that the final timeline for the elections depends on the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). As soon as the PSB issues the official scrutiny schedule, the federation will move swiftly to complete the electoral transition.

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ISLAMABAD: Following the approval of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Muhyuddin Ahmad Wani, the official schedule for nationwide open trials for the Under-18 and Senior national teams, as well as the senior team’s training camp, has been released.

According to the official notification, the National Under-18 Championship is scheduled to take place in Islamabad from April 9 to April 19, during which the Selection Committee will evaluate player performances.

Players unable to participate in the championship can appear for trials in Islamabad on April 20 and 21. Chairman Selection Committee Olympian Samiullah, along with other committee members and the head coach, will be present.

Open trials for the Under-18 category will be held in Lahore on April 16, supervised by Chief Selector Samiullah, Atif Bashir, M. Khalid, and Head Coach Qamar Ibrahim.

For the Pakistan Senior Team, open trials are set for April 13 at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium in Karachi. The 28 players from the previous national squad and those on the standby list are exempt from these trials.

Subsequent trials will be held in Lahore on April 15 and in Peshawar on April 23, attended by the PHF Selection Committee and Head Coach Manzoor-ul-Hassan.

The PHF further announced that the formal training camp for the Pakistan Senior Team will commence on May 1 in Islamabad.

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By Nawaz Gohar ;  The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially announced the participating teams and pool compositions for the historic first-ever FIH Para Hockey World Cup. The tournament is scheduled to take place from August 20 to 24, 2026, co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

The inaugural event will feature a 6-a-side format, with competing nations divided into two strategic pools:
Pool A (Matches in Belgium): Belgium, Italy, Germany, France, Pakistan, Zambia, Paraguay, and the United States.
Pool B (Matches in Netherlands): Netherlands, Spain, Bulgaria, England, India, Malaysia, Chile, and Argentina.

The preliminary rounds will be hosted at HC Myra in Amstelveen, Netherlands, and Louvain-la-Neuve HC in Belgium. In a significant move toward integration, the final matches will be held at the primary venues of the FIH Hockey Men’s and Women’s World Cup 2026: the Wagener Stadium (Amstelveen) and the Belfius Hockey Arena (Wavre).

FIH President Tayyab Ikram expressed immense pride in the launch of the event, describing it as a definitive shape-shifting moment for the sport. “This inaugural Para Hockey World Cup is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion,” President Ikram stated.

“I am deeply honored that under my presidency, we are launching an event that will contribute substantially to the global development of the sport.”

Para Hockey, specifically designed for athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID), was established 14 years ago. The FIH has championed the format for years as part of its core values. Recent surveys indicate a surge in global participation, with over 30 National Associations now actively running Para Hockey programs. Notably, the format promotes gender equality by featuring mixed-gender teams.

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By Nawaz Gohar ;  Muhyuddin Wani, the Ad-hoc President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), is facing intense criticism. Within just one month of taking charge, it is alleged that he has fallen under the influence of the same corrupt elements that previously plagued the federation.

For the first time in history, the PHF has been divided into administrative and hockey-related wings. Critics argue that Wani is acting on flawed advice from biased consultants. Syeda Shehla Raza, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) and member of the Standing Committee on IPC, has expressed serious reservations regarding Wani’s decision to convene a controversial PHF Congress meeting on March 27.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Shehla Raza appealed for immediate intervention. She noted that per the Prime Minister’s notification, Wani’s mandate is strictly to conduct free and fair elections—similar to the task assigned to former president Tariq Mussori Bugti—and to handle day-to-day affairs until a permanent setup is elected.

The letter asserts that calling a meeting of a “disputed” Congress violates the Prime Minister’s mandate and obstructs the electoral process. It highlights that the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had already initiated an election process during Tariq Bugti’s tenure, which remains legally valid. Furthermore, the IPC Ministry and PSB never recognized the 2022 PHF elections, meaning no legitimate elections have occurred since the 2018–2022 term ended.

A key legal point raised is that 50% of the members of the Congress Wani is summoning were technically “debarred” under the PHF constitution following a failed no-confidence motion against former Secretary General Haider Hussain. Subsequently, former President Tariq Bugti and “illegal” Secretary General Rana Mujahid allegedly handpicked favorites to fill these slots.

The letter claims the goal of this meeting is to provide “legal cover” to a corrupt group facing 113 audit paragraphs from the Auditor General of Pakistan and to protect parallel sports associations created for personal gain. Shehla Raza urged that Wani should have involved the FIA to investigate the looting of federation funds instead of attempting to “validate” these individuals.

Legal experts have weighed in, stating that once an election process begins (as it did under the PSB notification), the existing Congress is effectively dissolved to ensure transparency.

They warn that since 50% of the members were debarred during Brig. (R) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar’s era, a legitimate Congress currently does not exist and can only be formed through fresh elections.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has officially pulled back the curtain on the 2026 Men’s Hockey World Cup, revealing a high-octane schedule for the tournament co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.

Set to run from August 15 to 30, the prestigious event will ignite with a compelling opening fixture between India and Wales at the historic Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen. For Pakistan’s national side, the sport’s most decorated champions with four world titles, the journey begins on the very first day.

The Green Shirts are slated to face England at 10:00 PM PKT on August 15 in Amstelveen, followed by a crucial encounter against Wales on August 17.

The crown jewel of the group stages, however, remains the storied rivalry between Pakistan and India. Fans across the globe have circled August 19 on their calendars, when the two South Asian giants will clash at 6:00 PM PKT in a match that promises to be the tournament’s most-watched spectacle.

The group allocations were finalized during a prestigious draw ceremony at Wagener Stadium, attended by FIH President Tayyab Ikram and other high-ranking officials, including EuroHockey President Marcos Hofman and the leadership of the Belgian and Dutch national teams.

The sixteen-nation field has been divided into four competitive pools. Pool A features co-hosts Netherlands alongside Japan, Argentina, and New Zealand, while Pool B sees co-hosts Belgium pitted against defending champions Germany, France, and Malaysia.

Pool C brings together Australia, Spain, Ireland, and South Africa. Pakistan finds itself in the formidable Pool D, contending with India, England, and Wales for a spot in the next round.

The path to the podium follows a rigorous new format. The top two teams from each initial pool will advance to a “Super Eight” stage, where they will be reorganized into two groups of four.

Pool E will house the leaders from Pools A and D, while Pool F will consist of the top finishers from Pools B and C. Only the top two teams from these secondary groups will earn a ticket to the semi-finals.

This grueling road to glory will culminate on August 30 at the Belfius Hockey Arena in Wavre, Belgium, where the world’s new hockey king will be crowned.

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PHF in financial crisis: Coaches await millions in unpaid dues for 8 years

By Nawaz Gohar ; The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) owes millions of rupees to the coaches of both senior and junior teams, with these dues remaining unpaid for several years.

According to sources, the coaching staff has not received their payments for the past eight years due to the negligence of former officials. While sources indicate that players’ daily allowances have been cleared, the coaches remain deprived of their past dues. In response, the coaches are considering holding a joint press conference after Eid-ul-Fitr to formally voice their demands.

Interim President Rana Mujahid Ali (noted as Mohiuddin Ahmed Wani in the text) has decided to conduct an audit of the financial affairs from the last five years and intends to present the matter before the Auditor General of Pakistan.

Sources further reveal that the national team camp for the third phase of the FIH Pro Hockey League will commence after Eid-ul-Fitr. An announcement regarding the new selection committee is also expected within the next few days, as consultations between Management Committee Chairmen Islahuddin and Hassan Sardar have been completed.

The federation’s troubles don’t end there; employees have also not been paid their salaries for the period of September to December 2023, further compounding the administrative and financial crisis within the organization.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; The national hockey team secured an impressive victory by defeating Austria 4–2 in their third match of the FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup Qualifier Round, being held from March 1 to 7 in Ismailia, Egypt.

Pakistan adopted an aggressive approach right from the start of the match and maintained constant pressure on Austria’s defense. For Pakistan, Abu Bakar Mahmood scored two goals, while Afraz Muhammad and Sufyan Khan added one goal each, playing a key role in the team’s victory. For Austria, Kellner and Skoog each scored one goal.

According to the statistics, Pakistan earned 13 penalty corners during the match, compared to Austria’s 4. Austria was also awarded one penalty stroke during the game.

With this victory, Pakistan won all three of their matches in Group B, securing the top position and advancing to the semifinals with an unbeaten record in the qualifier round.

President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, Mohyuddin Wani, Chairman of the Ad-hoc Governance and Management Committee Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, Olympian Hasan Sardar, and Chief Selector Samiullah Khan congratulated the national team on their outstanding win and unbeaten performance in the qualifier round.

They praised the players’ performance, expressed best wishes for the semifinals, and voiced hope that the Pakistan team would continue their success in the upcoming matches with the same spirit.

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By Nawaz Gohar ; National hockey team captain Ammad Butt has issued a strong response to baseless news and negative propaganda circulating in sections of the media.

Denying the rumors, Captain Ammad Butt clarified that the national team remains fully united and takes immense pride in representing Pakistan on the international stage. He emphasized that the players are committed to bringing glory to the country and stated that reports regarding internal disputes or issues within the team are completely devoid of reality.

“Wearing the national jersey is an honor for every player, and all team members are well aware of their responsibilities,” Ammad Butt added.

Simultaneously, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appealed to the media to play a constructive role. The federation stated that encouraging national heroes is the need of the hour, warning that unverified news can negatively impact the team’s morale.

The PHF demanded responsible journalism, noting that maintaining the high spirits of the national team is a shared responsibility. According to the federation, players are working tirelessly day and night to meet the nation’s expectations and should be provided with full support.

Ammad Butt concluded his message by appealing to hockey fans to stand by the team and encourage the players with a positive mindset so that Pakistan hockey can once again reclaim its prominent position at the global level.

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