Pakistan has successfully staged the National Under-21 Women’s Hockey Championship for the first time in more than a decade, marking a major step towards reviving women’s hockey in the country.
The tournament, held in Islamabad, brought together 16 teams and nearly 300 young players from across Pakistan, providing a competitive platform for emerging female hockey talent.
Tournament Leads To International Opportunity
During the championship, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) received an invitation from the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to send a junior women’s team to an international tournament in Oman.
Despite having only a few days to finalize the squad and prepare the players, the PHF selected the team and sent it to Oman on short notice.
Although Pakistan did not record victories in the tournament, the young players impressed with their performances and determination. The team also won two Player of the Match awards in four matches, highlighting the potential of the country’s emerging talent.
PHF Plans Long-Term Development
The PHF said it remains committed to strengthening women’s hockey through regular competitions and player development.
The federation has requested the FIH to provide mentors and specialist coaches for junior players. Pakistan’s national high-performance coaching staff will also continue training and mentoring young female players across the country.
PHF officials described the championship as the beginning of a long-term effort to rebuild women’s hockey in Pakistan. The federation aims to expand the next National Under-21 Women’s Hockey Championship from 16 teams to 32 teams, creating more opportunities for female athletes to compete at provincial and international levels.
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