Girls’ hockey in Islamabad is finding its spark again. With schools and colleges sending teams, and the government stepping up to back young athletes, a quiet transformation is taking place at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium — one match, one goal at a time.
A Fresh Push for Girls’ Sports in the Capital
The capital’s hockey grounds have started buzzing again — something few would have predicted even two years ago. The recent exhibition event, hosted at the historic Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium, didn’t just bring together players; it brought back a long-lost sense of energy around women’s sports.
Federal Secretary for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Mohyuddin Wani, was there in person. He praised the young athletes for their skill and determination, saying their enthusiasm shows that girls’ hockey has “a bright, unstoppable future in Pakistan.”
He wasn’t exaggerating. For decades, Pakistan’s women’s hockey scene has struggled for visibility, funding, and recognition. Now, schools and colleges in Islamabad are filling that void by creating platforms for young players to compete, grow, and most importantly — be seen.
A Government Promise Beyond Words
Wani’s speech wasn’t just ceremonial fluff. He reaffirmed the federal government’s plan under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to invest in sports infrastructure, especially for girls.
He said government schools and colleges across Islamabad will be equipped with upgraded sports facilities — a long overdue promise for institutions where broken goalposts and uneven fields are still common sights.
One official at the Ministry of IPC said in private, “We’re focusing on basics first — equipment, coaching, and making sure every government school has a safe space for girls to play.”
That simple commitment is quietly shifting attitudes. For a country where girls’ participation in outdoor sports often faces social and logistical barriers, Islamabad’s initiative feels almost symbolic — a small but significant step.
From Empty Fields to Full Bleachers
It’s not just about policy papers anymore. Parents and students are showing up. Teachers are forming teams again. Coaches are returning to the grounds.
A quick look at participation numbers tells a story of steady growth:
| Year | Schools Participating | Registered Girl Players | Annual Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 12 | 180 | 1 |
| 2023 | 26 | 340 | 3 |
| 2024 | 41 | 620 | 5 |
| 2025* | 53 (expected) | 800+ | 6+ |
(*Projected figures, Islamabad Sports Board)
That’s more than a revival — it’s a turnaround. Many of these players come from modest backgrounds, where hockey becomes both a social outlet and a source of pride.
A college student, Sana Malik, said after the exhibition match, “We used to just read about hockey heroes from the past. Now we’re playing on the same turf where they once trained.”
Nostalgia Meets New Energy
For those who remember Pakistan’s golden days in field hockey — when the national men’s team dominated the world — this resurgence feels like a long-awaited echo. But this time, it’s the girls’ turn.
Coaches who once played for national and provincial teams are now training young girls. Some have returned voluntarily, saying it reminds them why they fell in love with the game.
One former player, now coaching at a government school, said, “When I see these girls chasing the ball with so much joy, I feel like our hockey’s heartbeat is coming back.”
It’s not just nostalgia. The hockey federation is reportedly working on a new program to scout female players from local tournaments for national-level camps.
Small Victories, Big Dreams
Every revival starts with small victories — a goal scored, a crowd that claps a little louder than usual, a parent who finally sees sports as more than just leisure.
Girls like 15-year-old Zoya from a local high school say they dream of wearing the green jersey one day. Her father, a retired army officer, said something simple but telling: “If she’s good at it, why not?”
That shift in mindset — from hesitation to encouragement — might be Islamabad’s biggest win yet.
And there’s evidence it’s working. Coaches report higher attendance at practices, especially on weekends. Sports vendors around the city say demand for hockey sticks and shin guards has risen sharply this year.
Some even credit social media. Short clips of matches, goals, and training sessions are circulating online, giving visibility that earlier generations of players could only dream of.
A Regional Push Could Strengthen the Movement
While Islamabad’s effort stands out, Pakistan isn’t alone in trying to reenergize girls’ hockey. Across South Asia, there’s a quiet but growing recognition of women’s sports as both cultural pride and national investment.
In India, the women’s hockey team’s Tokyo Olympics run in 2021 triggered new funding. Bangladesh has started school-level girls’ tournaments. And in Malaysia, female players are receiving government scholarships for sports education.
If Islamabad’s revival can maintain momentum, it could spark a national template. Hockey officials say they plan to replicate the capital’s model in cities like Lahore, Karachi, and Faisalabad.
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Improved school facilities
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Regional-level girls’ leagues
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Partnerships with corporate sponsors for equipment
These steps might sound small, but for a sport rebuilding from scratch, they’re monumental.
From Exhibition Matches to National Pride
The exhibition event at Naseer Bunda Stadium may have seemed like just another local fixture. But for those watching closely, it was a sign of a new phase — one where girls’ hockey could reclaim its place in Pakistan’s sports identity.
Federal Secretary Wani said something that lingered with many in attendance: “Every stick raised today is a symbol of confidence and hope.”
The message resonated. Because really, it’s not just about hockey. It’s about what happens when a generation of girls gets the chance to play, compete, and be cheered for.
And maybe, one day soon, one of these girls from Islamabad will score a goal that brings back the roar Pakistan once had for hockey — but this time, for its women.
