ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands hosted a vibrant King’s Day celebration on Tuesday, commemorating the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.

Special Advisor to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan was the chief guest on the occasion.

Ambassador of the Netherlands Henny de Vries welcomed the diverse group of guests from the diplomatic corps, government officials, the civil society, and sports community.

She said: “In times of adversity, the Netherlands and Pakistan have stood in solidarity with each other, offering invaluable support during critical moments. While we are here to celebrate today, I would like to take a moment to recognise the numerous conflicts, rising tensions and polarisation in the world – near and far.”

She also took the opportunity to highlight the shared commitment of Pakistan and the Netherlands to leverage sports as a tool for social inclusion, cultural exchange, and international goodwill.

The embassy has been working with multiple partners, such as Right to Play, the Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy, the Football Factory, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme to revive the sport of hockey in Pakistan and promote access to sports for all.

Ambassador de Vries added, “I am therefore extremely happy that this week we have a very special guest among us: Olympian Floris Jan Bovelander — a Dutch hockey legend whose time in Pakistan in the 90s went far beyond competition. In a world that can feel increasingly divided, sport reminds us of what we have in common. It empowers us and teaches us teamwork and respect — values we need both on the field and in our everyday lives, as we build bridges between cultures and people.”

Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan congratulated the Netherlands on King’s Day 2025 and reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to sports revival, stating that “the government’s declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Sports Revival’ aligns perfectly with today’s event. Collaborations with partners like the Netherlands are critical to nurturing talent and encouragement international camaraderie.”

Speaking at the event, Floris Jan Bovelander said: “Being back in Pakistan has been very exciting, meeting old hockey friends. I am a hockey player but hockey, for me, has always been more than just a game, because hockey and sports in general develops a lot of skills, a lot of friendships.”

He added, “The spirit of hockey, the enthusiasm and the legends are still here. You can see it, you can feel it – I have only been here for one-and-a-half days but the enthusiasm I have seen is limitless.”

He commended the good work of local organisations who are committed to bringing world class hockey back to Pakistan for men and women.

The Sports Connect exhibition showcased stories of Dutch and Pakistani athletes, including Olympian Arshad Nadeem, footballer Malika-i-Noor, and Dutch street football pioneer Rocky Hehakaija, through immersive displays and narratives.

The embassy had also created a hands-on hockey skill zone for the more adventurous amongst the guest to explore.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2025