- Advertisement -
PESHAWAR, Jul 23 (APP):Former Captain Pakistan Hockey Team, Olympian, Rahim Khan has called for promotion of hockey at school level to restore the glory of the nation in its national sports.
Speaking at the Sports Heroes Awards ceremony held here at Nishtar Hall, the other day, the renowned hockey player attributed the current decline of hockey in the country to the lack of the patronage of the sports 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.
“In the past, hockey was used to flow in the veins of Pakistanis, 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,” proposed the former national hockey team.
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 due role in bringing hockey back to life in Pakistan, starting from the grassroots level and building up towards national pride.