Oman team set to arrive in Pakistan for a junior matches series

Oman team set to arrive in Pakistan for a junior matches series

Asher Butt 

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced the upcoming visit of the Oman National Hockey Team, scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on April 6th, signaling a significant diplomatic and sporting engagement that promises to reinvigorate Pakistan's hockey landscape.

The impending tour comes on the heels of a successful four-match series with the German Junior Hockey Team, which marked the first German hockey contingent to visit Pakistan in 21 years. This recent international exposure has already boosted the morale of Pakistan's junior hockey squad and reignited public interest in the sport.

The PHF leadership, led by President Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti and Secretary General Olympian Rana Mujahid Ali Khan, has expressed profound gratitude to Pakistan's top leadership for their continued support of hockey, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Mian Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah Khan, Chairman of Prime Minister's Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and Director General of Pakistan Sports Board Mr. Yasir Pirzada.

A highlight of this support was the conferral of the prestigious Tamgha-e-Imtiaz civil award to national team captain Imad Shakeel Butt, a gesture that has deeply touched the entire hockey community.

The Oman National Hockey Team will engage in a series of friendly matches with Pakistan's National Junior Team, an initiative facilitated by the personal efforts of the Oman Hockey Federation. This visit is viewed as a crucial opportunity for a bilateral sports diplomacy, experience exchange between players, providing high-quality hockey entertainment for fans and rebuilding Pakistan's international hockey connections.

Following the German Junior Team's recent visit, the Oman team's tour represents a continued effort to reintegrate Pakistani hockey into the global sporting arena. These international interactions are seen as critical for skill development, exposure for young players, restoring Pakistan's historical reputation in hockey and promoting sports as a tool for international understanding, confided Mujahid.

“Hockey enthusiasts and sports administrators are optimistic that these international exchanges will mark the beginning of a renaissance for Pakistani hockey. The PHF leadership views these tours as more than just sporting events—they are diplomatic bridges that connect nations through the universal language of sports.

“The Oman team's arrival on April 6th is eagerly anticipated, promising to be a landmark moment in Pakistan's ongoing efforts to revive its once-celebrated hockey tradition.”

“The Pakistan Hockey Federation extends a warm welcome to the Oman Hockey Federation and their national team, expressing hope for a fruitful and memorable sporting exchange,” he added.