The inaugural opening of the first women’s hockey academy in Pakistan took place at the Viqar-Un-Nisa Postgraduate College for Women in Rawalpindi on Thursday, signifying a significant milestone for women’s sports in the country. The inauguration was attended by distinguished guests, including Member National Assembly (MNA) Hanif Abbasi, MNA Daniyal Chaudhry, Olympian Khawaja Junaid, Political Secretary of the British High Commission Cormic Dreelan, Group Head of Allied Bank Faisal Ghauri, and Principal of Viqar-Un-Nisa College Zahida Parveen.
During the ceremony, MNA Hanif Abbasi underscored the academy’s importance in advancing women’s hockey in Pakistan. He lauded the collaborative efforts of Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy and Allied Bank in operationalizing the state-of-the-art artificial turf for aspiring female athletes. The imported artificial turf, obtained during the PML-N government’s last tenure, is a valuable asset with the potential to nurture talented hockey players.
MNA Daniyal Chaudhry echoed these sentiments and expressed optimism regarding the academy’s impact on the students and the wider community. He emphasized the significance of nurturing talent from the grassroots level and providing comprehensive training to young girls in the technical and strategic aspects of hockey. Chaudhry also expressed hope that the academy’s success would pave the way for similar initiatives in other parts of the country.
Khawaja Junaid, in his address, delineated the academy’s objectives, which include identifying and developing talented players to represent Pakistan at national and international levels. He also shared the academy’s long-term vision, which encompasses hosting tournaments, establishing exchange programs with international hockey academies, and producing players capable of representing Pakistan on the global stage.
The academy has assembled an experienced coaching staff, with financial support for coaching purposes being provided by Allied Bank. Faisal Ghauri, representing Allied Bank, expressed the bank’s pride in supporting Khawaja Junaid Academy, underscoring its role in promoting women’s sports in the country.
The establishment of the women’s hockey academy is a significant stride towards empowering women in sports and creating opportunities for them to excel in the field of hockey. Through dedicated training, coaching, and support, the academy aims to produce skilled athletes who can represent Pakistan at the highest levels of international competition.
The inauguration of the academy heralds a new era for women’s hockey in Pakistan, and it is hoped that it will inspire similar initiatives across the country. With the combined efforts of the government, sporting institutions, and corporate sponsors, women’s sports in Pakistan are poised for a brighter and more inclusive future.