ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrated the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) by announcing the upcoming visit of two prominent Dutch sports personalities, Floris Jan Bovelander and Kayanat Bokhari, to Pakistan.

Ambassador Henny de Vries said, “The Embassy looks forward to welcoming Floris Jan Bovelander and Kayanat Bokhari later this month and invites all stakeholders to join this celebration of sports diplomacy. Sports aren’t just games; they’re a bridge. We’re ready to connect, collaborate, and build something amazing together.”

This year’s IDSDP theme, ‘Levelling the playing field: sport for social inclusion,’ aims to challenge stereotypes, promote equal opportunities, and enable inclusive sport for all, regardless of age, gender, or race. It highlights the role of sport as a unifying force that fosters inclusion and more equitable societies, while being a powerful platform for dialogue to tackle prejudices and inspire positive change across the world.

The embassy has been actively promoting inclusive sports, especially hockey, in Pakistan and in February 2024, for the first time in 22 years, a Dutch hockey team came to Pakistan to play matches against a team of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.

Olympian Floris Jan Bovelander, a hockey legend renowned for his penalty corner expertise, was a key player in the Netherlands team that defeated Pakistan in the final of the 1990 Hockey World Cup held in Lahore. His visit will celebrate the shared love for hockey and history between the two nations while inspiring young athletes to pursue excellence in sports.

Joining him will be Kayanat Bokhari, a Dutch-Pakistani footballer who represents Pakistan at the international level. Kayanat has been a passionate advocate for promoting women’s football and aims to showcase Pakistan’s talent on the global stage.

She spent a month in Islamabad last year playing with the Women Legacy Football Club, and her participation will further emphasise the role of sports in empowering women and fostering inclusivity.

With the many socioeconomic and cultural barriers to sports participation, the presence of and engagement with role models like Bovelander and Bokhari will encourage young people and communities to prioritise sports.

During their visit, both sports icons will engage with local communities, youth, athletes and organisations to share their experiences and highlight how sports can serve as a bridge between cultures.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2025