Hockey Series opens with thrilling Netherland Club win over Germans

Hockey Series opens with thrilling Netherland Club win over Germans

12-02-2025

Asher Butt

LAHORE: The International Hockey Series kicked off with a bang in Lahore at the National Hockey Stadium, with the Netherlands' HGC club defeating Germany's Wissen Dan club 3-0. In the second match of the day, the Prime Minister Youth HEC team triumphed over the Punjab Police PHF Development Squad 2-1.

 

A large and enthusiastic crowd filled the National Hockey Stadium to witness the exciting competition between the German and Dutch clubs. Rana Mashhood, Chairman of the Prime Minister Youth Program, was the chief guest at the event.

 

While inaugurating the league, Rana Mashhood stated, "We promised that the Prime Minister Youth Program would provide hockey players with the opportunity to compete against international teams. This hockey series is part of that program." He acknowledged the significant roles played by Khawaja Junaid, Pervez Sandhila, and Junaid Chatha in making the series a reality. He also expressed gratitude to the German and Netherlands embassies for their support of hockey and their assistance in inviting the teams. He further added that soon the Pakistani flag will be hoisted in every stadium of the world. He said that all sectors of the country are improving and Pakistan's economy is on the right track.

 

The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Pakistan, Hanneke de Vries, along with officials from the German Embassy, also watched the match.  Other dignitaries present included DIG Mehboob Aslam Lillah, Almeera Foundation Chairperson Sofia Waraich, Olympian Khawaja Muhammad Junaid (Focal Person Prime Minister Youth Program for Sports), Secretary POA Khalid Mahmood, Olympian Tauqeer Dar, Secretary PHF Rana Mujahid Ali, President Punjab Hockey Association Asif Bajwa, Director HEC Javed Memon, German hockey star Stephen Blocher, Junaid Chatha, Masood ur Rehman, Idrees Haider, and Waqar Ali (representing Punjab Olympics).

 

The international players showcased impressive skill, with the Dutch club delivering a dominant performance to secure a 3-0 victory over the German club.  Max Bossman, Dowie Weijs, and Thor Velden scored a goal each for the winning team.

 

In the second match, Minister of Education Rana Sikandar was the chief guest. He also played hockey with the girls from the Almeera Foundation and posed for a group photo with the teams after the introductions.  Rana Sikandar emphasized that the youth are the future of Pakistan, hockey fields are being revived, and Pakistani youth are getting opportunities to excel in every field. He expressed confidence that one day Pakistan will regain its lost glory in hockey. He added that Pakistan is progressing in every sector. The Prime Minister Youth HEC team secured a 2-1 win against the Punjab Police PHF Development Squad. Ali Taj and Abu Sufyan scored one goal each for the Prime Minister Youth HEC team. Waseem scored the lone goal for Punjab Police on a penalty stroke.