ISLAMABAD: In a major initiative aimed at reviving the country’s national game, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coor–dination (IPC), has launched a nationwide School Hockey Uplift Plan to promote the sport at grassroots.

According to a statement issued by the PHF on Wednesday, the year-long programme envisages the provision of complete and modern hockey equipment to 1,000 schools across the country during the first phase.

The initiative is being implemented on an urgent basis with financial and technical support from the government, the PSB and private sector sponsors.

A PHF spokesperson said that the primary objective of the programme was to foster sporting culture in schools and develop a new generation of players capable of restoring Pakistan’s glory in hockey.

Under the plan, inter-school competitions and specialised coaching camps will be organised across the country to identify talented youngsters. By the end of the first year, thousands of promising boys and girls are expected to be assessed, leading to the formation of a strong national Under-15 talent pool.

The spokesperson said that the federation was committed to ensuring transparency in the utilisation of funds provided by the government and sponsors so that the benefits of the programme could reach maximum number of schools across Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2026