Pakistan has qualified for the Hockey World Cup after 8 years.
In the semi-final of the ongoing World Cup Hockey Qualifier in Egypt, Pakistan defeated Japan 4-3 in a thrilling match to secure a place in the final.
Goalkeeper Ali Raza played a key role by saving a penalty stroke awarded to Japan just four minutes before the end of the match, ensuring Pakistan’s crucial victory.
Sufyan Khan, Abu Muhammad, Muhammad Imad, and Afraz scored the goals for Pakistan.
This win marks Pakistan’s return to the World Cup after 2018, as the team had failed to qualify for the previous edition.
Four minutes before the end of the match, Japan was awarded a penalty stroke, which was saved by goalkeeper Ali Raza, securing a crucial victory for Pakistan. Sufyan Khan, Abu Muhammad, Muhammad Imad, and Afraz scored for Pakistan.
The Pakistan hockey team will participate in the World Cup again after 2018, having failed to qualify for the previous edition.
The Men’s Hockey World Cup 2026 will be held in Belgium and the Netherlands from August 14 to 30.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, has formed the National Education-Hockey Coordination Committee to institutionalise the promotion of hockey within Pakistan’s education system and to revive hockey competitions across the country.
The committee, notified by the IBCC, will be chaired by Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director of the IBCC, while Sadia Naz, Deputy Director of Sports at the IBCC, will serve as Secretary.
Other members of the committee include the directors of the education boards of Mardan, Larkana, Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta, and Mirpur (Azad Kashmir), as well as representatives from various sports organisations, including Directors of Physical Education (DPEs).
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