ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Thursday announced two key policy initiatives aimed at strengthening governance, transparency and athlete welfare ahead of upcoming international junior competitions.

“Investing in our juniors means protecting them on and off the field,” a PHF spokesperson said. “Medical screening and anti-doping education are now essential pillars of Pakistan hockey. We are building a culture of integrity from the grassroots up.”

Under the new measures, the PHF will conduct mandatory medical screening for all U-18 national team probables as part of its commitment to fair play and compliance with international age-verification standards. The initiative is designed to ensure that only eligible players represent Pakistan in global events while maintaining integrity of the sport.

In addition, the PHF, in collaboration with the Pakistan Anti-Doping Authority, will launch a nationwide anti-doping awareness programme for both junior and senior national teams. The programme will include educational seminars prior to all foreign tours to ensure that players and officials are fully informed about global anti-doping regulations, supplement safety and their responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code.

The initiatives will be implemented on a continuous basis across all hockey establishments in the country, reflecting PHF’s emphasis on youth development, clean sport and alignment with international best practices set by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and WADA.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2026