ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the Pakistan Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) on Monday signed a cooperation agreement aimed at supporting coaching development initiatives and allied hockey activities across the country.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Secretary Petroleum Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh, PARCO managing director Irteza Ali Qureshi, its chairman, senior officials of both the organisations and members of the Pakistan U-21 hockey team who are currently participating in a national training camp.

“Under the agreement, PARCO will provide financial support amounting to Rs100 million over a period of two years to assist the PHF in implementing its coaching education programmes, coach development initiatives and other hockey-related activities across Pakistan,” read a press release issued by the PHF.

It said that the partnership will also support the provision of stipends for coaches engaged in the federation’s nationwide coaching education framework.

Speaking on the occasion, the participants described the agreement as a significant step towards rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey structure through investment in coaching excellence and human resource development.

They emphasised that strengthening coaching standards and creating a unified coaching system are essential for developing future generations of talented players and restoring Pakistan’s position among the world’s leading hockey nations.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026