ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has taken a major step toward reviving women’s hockey with the successful staging of the National Under-21 Women’s Hockey Championship, the first tournament of its kind in more than a decade.
Organized by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the championship brought together 16 teams and nearly 300 talented young players from across the country, marking a significant milestone in the federation’s efforts to rebuild the women’s game and strengthen the future talent pool.
The event has been widely hailed as a turning point for women’s hockey in Pakistan, offering young athletes a long-awaited platform to showcase their skills and compete at the national level.
The tournament also produced an unexpected opportunity on the international stage. During the championship, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) extended an invitation to Pakistan to send its junior women’s team to a tournament in Oman.
Despite having only three to four days to assemble the squad, PHF officials completed the selection process and dispatched the team in time for the competition. Although the players had limited opportunities to train together and develop team chemistry, they represented Pakistan with determination, resilience and fighting spirit.
While the team could not secure favorable results, its performances earned widespread praise. Pakistan’s young stars claimed the Player of the Match award in two of their four matches, underlining the depth of emerging talent and the potential for future success with proper development.
Encouraged by the promising displays, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting women’s hockey nationwide. The federation has formally requested assistance from the FIH in the form of experienced mentors and specialist coaches to accelerate the growth of junior players.
At the same time, Pakistan’s National High Performance coaching staff will continue working with the newly identified players while expanding training programs for aspiring female hockey players from different regions of the country.
A PHF spokesperson described the championship as “only the beginning” of a long-term vision to restore Pakistan’s presence in international women’s hockey.
The federation is already planning to make the next edition even bigger. Instead of 16 teams, PHF aims to expand the championship to 32 teams, ensuring that talented girls from every region of Pakistan receive greater opportunities to compete, develop their skills and eventually represent the country on the international stage.
With renewed investment, structured development programs and growing participation, Pakistan hopes this historic championship will become the foundation for a new era in women’s hockey.
