Hockey in Pakistan
The game of hockey was brought to Pakistan during the era of British Raj, and hockey become a popular sport during that era like cricket and football nowadays among the local population. Pakistan Hockey Federation came into being in 1948 soon after the independence of Pakistan in 1947. The office of hockey federation of Pakistan is located at national hockey stadium. Air Marshal M.Nur Khan introduced the world cup and Champions Trophy which are now rated among hockey’s international tournaments.
Initially steps of Pakistan hockey
Pakistan Hockey Federation during their starting journey Pakistan had completed their players from what is now called India. In beginning the hockey federation of Pakistan’s membership included the provisional hockey federations of Balochistan, KPK, Bahawalpur, East Bengal, Punjab, Sindh, and Pakistan armed forces sports board.
Pakistan played their first international hockey match
Team Pakistan played their first International hockey game in London where there defeated Belgium 2-1 at the 14TH Olympic game match on 2 August 1948. After that match the Pakistan national hockey established a strong image in international competition. The first win against Belgium also helping to maintain the interest in the game in Pakistan. So that also cause assisted the growth of the federation. It’s the time when the federation have no full time central office or any other institution such as secretariat as such they all are established until 1960s
Pakistan Hockey Super League
In 2016 February Pakistan Hockey Federation starting preparations for a domestic hockey league within the country. The domestic hockey to be played from October to November 2016. According to the secretary Shahabz Ahmad Senior. Who sure the development of growth of the new and young hockey players in Pakistan. These domestic games can help Pakistan hockey federation to regain its historic era as a playing nation of hockey as a winner.
Finally, in December 2017 announced that Pakistan hockey federation super league was given an NOC. Soon after 2018 common wealth games, and they are going to start forthcoming month of the Holy Ramadan. On 11 January 2022 the Pakistan Hockey Federation inaugurated the Pakistan Hockey Super league in first time in the history of Pakistan hockey.
Allied relationship
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association
- Balochistan Hockey Association
- Federally Administered Tribal Areas Hockey Association
- Gilgit-Baltistan Hockey Association
- Islamabad Hockey Association
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association
- Punjab Hockey Association
- Sindh Hockey Association
International Hockey and world XI hockey team
There is no any international hockey match has been played in Pakistan since 2008. Because teams are refusing to tour the country due to the internal issues of Pakistan and security situation. International hockey returned to Pakistan for long period for the first time with the tour of world eleven match with the defeated of the national junior team 5-1 in a match in Karachi. Because of this long gape the team Pakistan fall down behind in the world rankings. In the recent times and dealing a huge issue to the popularity of the sport as a national game of Pakistan as compare to cricket.
Hockey world cup wins by Pakistan hockey team
In the history of hockey Pakistan national hockey is one of the most successful national fields hockey teams with a record of four hockey world cup wins. 1982, 1994
1971 Hockey World Cup,
The 1971 Men’s Hockey World cup was in Barcelona Spain Pakistan were win the world cup after beating Spain in the final 1-0.
1978 Hockey World Cup
The 1978 world cup won by Pakistan Hockey team by defeating team Netherlands 3-1 in the final the host nation Argentina finished at eighth of that vary world cup tournament.
1982 Hockey World Cup,
The hockey world cup of 1982 where 12 teams competed and Pakistan won the tournament for the third time in history by defeating Germany 3-2 in the final
1994 Hockey World Cup,
It was held from November 23 to 4 December in Sydney Australia. Where Pakistan defeated Netherland 4-3 on the penalties shot out and won the world cup in fourth time in history.
Team Pakistan Olympic champion in hockey
The team Pakistan has won a total number of 29 international tittles to grassroots and professional level. With 3 gold medals in the Olympic games in hockey tournaments. In Rome 1960, Mexico 1968, and Los Angeles 1984.