ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister of Development, Planning, and Special Projects, Ahsan Iqbal, has urged coordinated efforts to bring back Pakistan’s lost hockey glory by developing young players, bolstering institutional support, and advocating increased private sector involvement in sports.
He was speaking during a signing ceremony that established a collaboration between Vital Group and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to increase youth involvement and fortify their ties to the Pakistani national hockey squad.
The minister claimed that Pakistan had enormous potential to regain its prominent place in world hockey and described hockey as a symbol of the country’s identity. He underlined that gifted young athletes were being inspired to continue the traditions of Pakistan’s heyday and hoist the national flag once more on the global scene.
Ahsan Iqbal underscored the importance of private sector patronage in promoting sports and supporting athletes. He said that when players were financially secure and free from economic pressures, they could devote their full attention and energy to their performance. A player’s primary concern, he remarked, should be how to score the next goal rather than how to meet personal expenses.
The minister highlighted that excellence in modern sports required more than talent and physical ability, stressing the growing importance of sports science, technology, and data-driven performance analysis. He said physical fitness, mental resilience, discipline, and sustained concentration were essential for competing successfully at the international level.
Referring to the achievements of leading athletes around the world, Ahsan Iqbal said their success was built on consistent practice, discipline, and an unwavering focus on performance.
The minister further stressed the idea of the National Sports City in Narowal, which was designed to give Pakistan access to top-notch sports facilities. He claimed that the facility provided 14 sports with infrastructure that met world standards in one place, giving athletes the chance to train in a cutting-edge and encouraging setting.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the government’s dedication to giving players cutting-edge training facilities and a supportive environment to improve their performance by offering the Pakistani national hockey team the chance to establish the National Sports City Narowal as its permanent training facility.
He characterized the collaboration between Vital Group and the Pakistan Hockey Federation as a significant step in bolstering hockey in the nation, encouraging youth participation in sports, and expanding chances for the upcoming generation of Pakistani athletes.
The minister expressed optimism that Pakistan may rebuild its hockey history and regain its reputation in international contests with continued cooperation between sports organizations, the commercial sector, and youthful talent.