The Youth Under-18 National Hockey Championship 2026, held from April 9 to 19 at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, became a focal point for renewed efforts to strengthen Pakistan hockey. Executive Director IBCC and member of the Adhoc Governance and Management Committee of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, visited the tournament to meet young players and assess the talent emerging from grassroots competitions.
Dr. Mallah praised the players for their skill, discipline and passion for the national game, noting that the Championship provides a vital platform for identifying future national team prospects. His visit was accompanied by a strong PHF and sports leadership presence, including President Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, Director General Pakistan Sports Board Yasir Pirzada, Deputy Director General Shahid-ul-Islam, PHF selection committee member and Olympian Naeem Akhtar, Chief Coordinator Abdul Nasir Akhunzada, Tournament Director Khawaja Muhammad Junaid, assistant tournament directors Shafiq Bhatti and Mehmood Ahmed, umpire manager Sohail Akram Janjua, coordinator Khawar Javed and media coordinator Muhammad Waqas Sheikh, along with numerous officials and hockey supporters.
Outlining the Federation’s direction, Dr. Mallah reaffirmed that revival of the sport is a national priority and detailed comprehensive reforms designed to rebuild Pakistan hockey from the ground up. Under the proactive leadership of Tariq Bugti Wani and with guidance from the game’s veteran figures, the Federation has prioritized grassroots talent development, adoption of modern training methodologies, upgrading of infrastructure and a strict merit-based selection process to ensure fairness and excellence.
Dr. Mallah emphasized that sustainable progress in Pakistan hockey requires coordinated action across institutions. He called for stronger integration of sports within schools, colleges and examination boards so that young athletes receive structured support early, allowing talent to flourish alongside education. This approach aims to produce disciplined, confident and competitive players who can perform on the international stage.
Expressing confidence in the reform agenda, Dr. Mallah said that with sustained institutional coordination and collective national effort, Pakistan hockey can recover its competitive edge. The U-18 Championship remains central to that journey, offering a clear pathway for promising players to move from domestic competition to national representation.
