PHF launches grassroots hockey drive in Mansehra, supplies kits to 24 schools
The Pakistan Hockey Federation, in partnership with provincial authorities, handed out kits to Under-15 teams from over 24 government schools in Mansehra as part of a wider grassroots development drive that will expand to other districts and provinces.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has taken a concrete step to revive the sport from the ground up, distributing equipment and full kit bags to Under-15 teams across more than 24 government schools between Mansehra and Kaghan.
The programme, held in Mansehra under the direction of PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, is a joint effort with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Board, the provincial Department of Education and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association. Officials said the move aims to build a structured pathway for young players beginning at the school level.
Event and attendees
Additional Secretary IPC Zaka Ullah Khattak served as chief guest, while Deputy Commissioner Mansehra Khalid Iqbal Khattak attended as guest of honour and commended the young athletes. The ceremony drew a broad group of stakeholders, including PHF Selection Committee member and Olympian Naeem Akhtar, DG Sports KP chief coach Shafqat Ullah, district education and sports officers, school principals, other Olympians, provincial association representatives, coaches and players.
Organisers said players and school authorities welcomed the initiative as an important milestone in efforts to rejuvenate hockey nationwide.
Next steps
Officials announced that an Under-15 National Hockey Championship is scheduled for January 2027. They also said future phases will expand equipment distribution and the programme’s reach to other Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts including Abbottabad, and to Faisalabad, South Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan.
The stated objective is to attract children to hockey at the school level, offer structured coaching and identify promising talent to strengthen the pipeline for the national team.