Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah, Executive Director of the IBCC and member of the Adhoc Governance and Management Committee of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, visited the Youth Under-18 National Hockey Championship 2026 being played from April 9 to 19 at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium. During his visit he interacted with young players and praised their talent, discipline and passion for Pakistan hockey.
Present at the event were President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation 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, with a large number of officials and hockey supporters also in attendance.
Addressing participants, Dr. Mallah reaffirmed that revival of hockey is a national priority and outlined a range of reforms being pursued under the PHF leadership of Tariq Bugti Wani and with guidance from Pakistan’s hockey legends. He said these efforts focus on grassroots talent development, adoption of modern training methodologies, upgradation of infrastructure and strict adherence to merit-based selection to strengthen Pakistan hockey at all levels.
Dr. Mallah emphasized that the revival cannot succeed in isolation and stressed the importance of embedding sports within schools, colleges and examination boards to nurture talent from an early age. “We are committed to creating a strong culture of sports across educational institutions to promote healthy, disciplined and confident youth,” he stated.
Expressing confidence in the programme, he said sustained reforms, coordinated institutions and collective national effort will enable Pakistan hockey to reclaim its rightful place on the international stage.
