The outgoing Ambassador of the Netherlands in Pakistan, Henny De Vries, paid a farewell visit to the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s camp office, where she was acknowledged for her significant efforts in promoting sports, particularly hockey, through the Dutch embassy’s ‘Sports Diplomacy’ initiative. Officials from both the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) expressed appreciation for her contributions and wished her success in her next diplomatic posting in Angola.
Federal Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani, and PHF President, Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti, personally welcomed Ambassador De Vries to the federation’s office. They thanked her for her active role in fostering stronger ties between the two countries through sports-related activities, emphasizing the positive impact of the Dutch embassy’s initiatives on the development of hockey in Pakistan.
During the farewell meeting, Ambassador De Vries expressed her hope that the ‘Sports Diplomacy’ initiative would continue to prosper, facilitating further exchange of players between Pakistan and the Netherlands at both club and national levels. She highlighted the value of sports as a means of building connections and understanding between nations.
Federal Secretary Wani commended De Vries for her dedication to promoting sports diplomacy and extended his best wishes as she prepares to assume her new role in Angola. President Bugti also recognized her personal involvement in advancing hockey in Pakistan, noting that her efforts have played a vital role in showcasing the sport’s potential to bridge cultural and diplomatic divides.
Ambassador De Vries assured the attendees that she had briefed the incoming Dutch ambassador about her embassy’s ongoing commitment to supporting sports, especially hockey, in Pakistan. She reiterated the importance of sustained cooperation in this sector for mutual benefit.
The visit concluded with expressions of gratitude and a shared commitment to further strengthen bilateral relations through sports and cultural exchanges in the future.
