Sports Bulletin

Lausanne Switzerland (PR): India have achieved continental glory and punched their direct ticket to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 after being crowned champions of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 women’s hockey competition. In a pulsating gold medal encounter, India edged out Paris 2024 Olympic silver medallists and defending champions China to return to the top step of the podium after 44 years!China claimed the silver medal, while hosts Japan secured the bronze after prevailing in the third-place playoff. With the top four women’s teams outside the continental champion qualifying for the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers, silver medalists China, bronze medalists Japan, fourth-placed Korea, and fifth-placed Malaysia have all booked their places in the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers to keep their dreams of reaching Los Angeles alive.The pool phase set the stage for an explosive medal round as the continent’s superpowers dominated preliminary proceedings. In Pool A, defending champions China were in imperious form, storming into the semi-finals with five consecutive victories, racking up 46 goals without conceding once. Korea joined them from the pool after holding their nerve in a crucial 2-1 final group stage clash against a resolute Malaysian team. Meanwhile, Pool B belonged to a rampant Indian side, who swept their five group matches while amassing over 65 goals, spearheaded by ace drag flicker Deepika, who registered 21 goals in the pool phase alone. India stamped their authority on the pool with a decisive 3-1 win over hosts Japan, who rebounded with clean-sheet wins over Thailand and Singapore to seal their place alongside India in the final four.The semi-finals delivered high-stakes, edge-of-the-seat drama. China maintained their momentum by edging ahead of hosts Japan in a shoot-out after a fiercely contested tactical semi-final ended in a tie, while India booked their place in the gold medal match with a commanding 2-0 win against Korea. In the bronze medal match, Japan delighted the passionate home crowd in Kakamigahara, overcoming Korea in a shoot-out to secure continental bronze.The women's final was a showcase of world-class defending, resilience, and clinical execution under immense pressure. Facing a formidable Chinese outfit that had barely put a foot wrong all tournament, India produced a tactical masterclass. The deadlock was broken when forward Lalremsiami, who was celebrating her 200th cap for India in the final, showed razor-sharp instincts inside the circle, smashing home a powerful reverse shot into the top corner that gave the keeper no chance, and proved to be the decisive goal, to put India 1-0 ahead. Backed by disciplined defensive structure and heroic goalkeeping including a stunning penalty stroke save by Savita, India weathered China’s relentless onslaught to preserve the 1-0 lead, claiming their first Asian Games crown in 44 years, and sealing direct passage to LA28.

PHF proposes to host first SCO Hockey Championship in IslamabadAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: President, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani today (Tuesday) met here with the National Coordinators and representatives of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries currently visiting Pakistan.According to an official of PHF, during the meeting, the PHF President briefed the delegates on the ongoing efforts for the revival and development of hockey in Pakistan, outlining the progress achieved so far, the reforms being undertaken by the federation, and the initiatives aimed at rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey structure and restoring its international standing. Wani also shared PHF’s intention to host an SCO Hockey Championship in Islamabad in the near future, bringing together the hockey teams of SCO member states on a common platform in Pakistan.The SCO National Coordinators and representatives expressed great appreciation and enthusiasm for the proposal and showed their interest in participating in the proposed championship. They welcomed the initiative, termed this an opportunity to promote sports, strengthen people-to-people contacts and enhance sporting cooperation among SCO member states.The PHF President thanked the visiting representatives for their positive response and said that the proposed championship would provide a new platform for the development of the game of hockey and greater sporting interaction among SCO countries. Further consultations and technical details regarding the proposed SCO Hockey Championship will be worked out with the concerned member countries in the coming weeks.

Sports Bulletin ReportMUSCAT / ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Junior Hockey Team showcased a stellar performance to defeat Bangladesh 3-0 in their Pool B match of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2026, sealing a spot in the semifinals and securing qualification for the upcoming FIH Junior World Cup. Pakistan's Ghulam Mustafa was declared the Man of the Match for his standout play.The Green Shirts adopted an aggressive posture right from the opening whistle. Forward Rana Waleed put Pakistan in absolute control early on, displaying clinical precision to score two back-to-back field goals in the 9th and 12th minutes of the first quarter.Bangladesh mounted several counter-attacks in an attempt to stage a comeback, but Pakistan’s defense stood firm throughout the contest. In the 52nd minute of the final quarter, Ghulam Mustafa capped off a brilliant field move to slot home Pakistan’s third goal and seal a comprehensive victory.Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the national junior squad on their undefeated run, praise-worthy teamwork, and dual achievement of entering the semifinals and earning a berth in the FIH Junior World Cup. He extended his best wishes to the team for their upcoming semifinal clash.

Islamabad (Sports News): In a crucial Pool B clash at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2026, the Pakistan Junior Hockey Team showcased a dominant performance, thrashing Malaysia 5–2. With this commanding win, Pakistan maintains its unbeaten streak in the tournament, recording their third consecutive victory.Match Highlights & Comeback StrategyThe game got off to a tense start as Malaysia’s Mohammad Salmi struck in the 9th minute to give his side an early lead. However, Pakistan launched a blistering second-half comeback, dismantling the Malaysian defense:32' — Nadeem Khan scored a brilliant field goal to draw level at 1–1.36' — Abdullah Sami Rana found the back of the net to put Pakistan ahead 2–1.39' & 40' — Waleed Rana stole the show with back-to-back goals, firing Pakistan into a commanding 4–1 lead.41' — Ali Hamza added a fifth goal to complete a devastating scoring spell.Malaysia’s Gunaselan Dhirash pulled one back in the 54th minute, but Pakistan safely managed the closing minutes to seal an emphatic 5–2 victory.#PakistanHockey #JuniorAsiaCup2026 #JuniorWorldCup #RisingStars #GreenShirts #Unbeaten

Lausanne (Switzerland): The International Hockey Federation (FIH) is delighted to announce the launch of the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup Egypt 2026, an initiative guided by FIH President Tayyab Ikram, to be held in Ismailia from 7 to 12 December 2026.Following the postponement of the Youth Olympic Games in 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the subsequent decision for hockey to feature as a non-medal Engagement Sport at the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026, FIH has created a new global event to ensure that the world's most promising young players continue to enjoy a meaningful international pathway.More than a World Cup, the tournament combines world-class Hockey5s competition with education, leadership and athlete development, reflecting the values of the Olympic Movement. Designed around an athletes-first philosophy, it promotes holistic development and wellbeing while empowering young people to become future leaders, officials and role models.The fast-paced Hockey5s format will deliver an exciting and accessible experience for players and fans alike, helping introduce the sport to new audiences while expanding opportunities for young athletes from every continent to compete on the global stage.Hosting the inaugural edition in Egypt also reinforces FIH's commitment to growing hockey worldwide. The event will showcase Africa's excellence in hosting world-class sporting events while creating a lasting legacy by inspiring more young people to play hockey and strengthening the sport across emerging nations and regions.FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “The creation of the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup marks another important milestone in our commitment to empowering the next generation of hockey players.It provides young athletes from every continent with more opportunities to compete at the highest international level, develop both on and off the field, and experience the values of excellence, friendship and respect that define our sport and the Olympic Movement.We are equally delighted that Egypt will host this inaugural tournament, reflecting Africa's growing role in the global development of hockey and its proven ability to deliver world-class international events. We look forward to seeing young players from around the world come together to celebrate hockey, inspire one another, and shape the future of our sport."(Sports News)

Islamabad (Sports News): Pakistan Junior Women’s Hockey Team made a strong start at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026, defeating Hong Kong China 2–0 in the Challenger Pool.Shariqa was the star of the match, scoring both goals for Pakistan in 34th minute and 48th minute.The national team displayed excellent attacking hockey, disciplined defending and strong team coordination, keeping Hong Kong China from finding the net.PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani congratulated the players and officials on their impressive performance and expressed his hope that the team will continue its winning momentum in the upcoming matches.#PakistanHockey #JuniorAsiaCup2026 #PakistanJuniorWomen #Hockey #GreenShirts #AlaskaBatteries #PHF #PakistanZindabad

Islamabad (Sports News): Germany became the first men's team to win back-to-back FIH Hockey World Cup titles on two separate occasions by successfully defending their crown with a 1-0 victory over Spain in the final in Wavre on Sunday.The Germans looked slightly more dominant in a hard-fought opening quarter. But the Red Sticks upped the intensity in the second and created several promising opportunities. Their best chance fell to Borja Lacalle, whose angled reverse-stick strike was kept out by an excellent glove save from Germany goalkeeper Jean-Paul Danneberg midway through the period. Danneberg was brought into action a few more times in the second quarter but ensured the sides were still level on 0-0 at half-time.Spain piled on the pressure at the start of the third quarter but couldn’t make it count. And with 80 seconds remaining in the period, Germany made the most of their only circle entry of the quarter, Michel Struthoff running across the goalmouth and popping the ball into an empty net after the keeper had committed early.  While Spain continued to rack up the circle entries and chances on goal, they simply couldn’t beat the German defence. They pulled off their keeper with just under four minutes to go in a last-ditch attempt to find the equaliser, but Germany held firm to secure their fourth World Cup crown.Germany’s Christopher Rühr was named Player of the Match.Earlier in the day in the bronze medal playoff, Argentina’s men stunned the Netherlands 2-1 to reach the podium for only the second time in their history.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Day two of the FIH Hockey World Cup delivered plenty more action on Sunday, with significant wins, brave draws and spirited comeback efforts across the two venues in Belgium and the Netherlands.Former champions Australia enjoyed a solid start to their World Cup campaign, beating Ireland’s men 3-1 in their tournament opener. Joel Rintala opened the scoring in the seventh minute when his penalty-corner strike hit the post before rebounding off the goalkeeper and into the net, and he doubled the lead with another PC in the second quarter. Blake Govers then made it 3-0 from yet another penalty corner, scoring the 167th international goal of his career. The three-time world champions’ intensity dropped off in the second half, and Alistair Empey managed to pull one back for the Irish, popping it in after a penalty corner save rebounded off goalkeeper Ash Thomas’ helmet. Ireland then applied plenty of late pressure with Thomas being repeatedly put to the test, but the Kookaburras held firm to secure the victory.Australia’s Liam Henderson was named as Player of the Match and said afterwards: “It was good fun, good to get a first hit out, good win…”Later in the day, the Dutch men survived an early scare to beat New Zealand 5-1. The Black Sticks stunned the Amsterdam crowd when James Hickson put them ahead in the 23rd minute, but the second half belonged to the Netherlands. Tjep Hoedemakers levelled with some one-touch magic in the 35th minute, before Duco Telgenkamp fired home a rebound after a penalty-corner save to put the hosts ahead in the 41st. Thierry Brinkman then tapped in the third eight minutes later, Hoedemakers grabbed his second just a minute after that, and Koen Bijen completed the rout from a penalty corner in the 52nd minute, sending a relieved Dutch crowd home happy.New Zealand’s women stunned Belgium in a similar manner in their encounter in Wavre before the hosts rallied for a 5-2 win. The Kiwis took an early lead through a penalty-corner rebound in the fourth minute, but Stephanie Vanden Borre levelled five minutes later before Emma Puvrez put Belgium ahead in the 12th. Charlotte Englebert capitalised on a defensive error to make it 3-1 10 minutes later, before Hannah Cotter pulled one back for New Zealand with a reverse-stick strike on the counter in the 33rd minute. Justine Rasir then restored Belgium’s two-goal cushion from a messy penalty-corner rebound in the 41st, before adding her second six minutes later to seal the 5-2 win.Puvrez was named Player of the Match and said: “It was wonderful. Already in the first seconds, the public was awesome. The people were great and we felt the support until the end… and I’m very happy we could take a win home with the team.”England’s women recorded their first win in a World Cup opener since 2010 with a convincing 4-0 victory over South Africa. Despite a strong start from the African champions, England took control early, with goals from Darcy Bourne and Tessa Howard. Elizabeth Neal added a third from another penalty corner just 24 seconds before half-time, before Sophie Hamilton completed the scoring in the third quarter with a powerful reverse-stick finish from a lovely team build-up.Meanwhile, India and China’s women played out another World Cup thriller as the sides shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Navneet Kaur gave India the lead in the eighth minute, but Zhang Ying levelled from a penalty stroke just eight seconds before the first break. Deepika restored India’s advantage in the 25th minute with a penalty corner that took a vicious deflection off a Chinese defender, but Ma Ning’s expertly executed penalty corner in the 39th minute earned China a draw and a share of the points – the same result as the World Cup pool encounter between the same sides four years ago.Spain’s men made a fast start and held off a spirited South African comeback to claim a 3-1 win. Two first-quarter goals less than a minute apart, from Marc Reyne and José Basterra, put South Africa on the back foot early. Basterra added his second shortly before half-time to put Spain firmly in control. The South Africans responded with a stronger third quarter, finally breaking through when Mustapha Cassiem rocketed a penalty corner into the top-left corner. Despite sustained pressure, the Red Sticks' defence held on to secure the victory.In other action, the keepers at both ends were called upon in the opening quarter of the clash between Argentina and Japan’s men. The Argentinians broke the deadlock in the second quarter with Nicolas Keenan setting up Joaquin Toscani to provide the finish from close-range to take his team 1-0 up in the 22nd minute. That lead was doubled by Lucio Mendez after some scrappy play in the 54th minute. Maico Casella then helped Martin Ferreiro’s mis-hit shot over the line for their third goal four minutes later to wrap up a somewhat flattering 3-0 win after a brave effort from Japan that was just lacking the finishing touch.In the final match of the day, Spain’s women had two first-half goals disallowed against Ireland but still managed to take a 1-0 lead into the break, thanks to some excellent skill from Laia Vidosa to score in the 23rd minute. Hannah McLoughlin then provided the equaliser for Ireland off a penalty corner deflection in the 36th. Both teams scored from penalty corners in the third quarter, keeping matters level heading into the final period. But Spain’s captain Xantal Gine stepped up with five minutes to go, firing in the winner for her side off another penalty corner.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): Germany’s men and the Netherlands’ women got their FIH Hockey World Cup title defence off to the perfect start with opening day victories as the tournament kicked off across two host venues – in Belgium and the Netherlands.The German men raced into a three-goal lead in the opening eight minutes of their match against Malaysia after Jakob Brilla scored from a penalty corner in the fourth minute, Christopher Ruhr added a field goal in the fifth, and Justus Weigand finished off a great team effort in the eighth.The Malaysians did well to contain the Germans in the second quarter, which remained goalless. They then pulled one back through Abu Kamal Azrai in the 40th minute. But Germany regained their three-goal lead just before the final break thanks to a well-timed deflection from Justus Warweg and Paul-Philipp Kaufmann tapped in a fifth in the final quarter to wrap up the 5-1 win.Meanwhile, the Dutch women were given a stern test by Chile in their opening match but ultimately prevailed 2-0.It took the hosts until the 21st minute to break the deadlock, with Marijn Veen getting the perfect deflection on a Yibbi Jansen pass to put the Netherlands ahead. Jansen doubled their lead from a penalty corner in the 35th minute, but the Dutch attack was made to work for every opportunity as Chile, led by a superb performance from goalkeeper Natalia Salvador, put up a resolute defensive display.Marijn Veen was named Player of the Match and said afterwards: “It’s so amazing to play a World Cup in your own home city and in your own country. We are very grateful and proud and love all the orange people.”It was another massive defensive effort that saw the United States women pull off a brave draw against 2022 FIH Hockey World Cup silver medallists Argentina. Brisa Bruggesser put Las Leonas in front in the 11th minute before Emma DeBerdine found the equaliser just before the half-time break. The Americans then produced an impressive defensive display to hold on for the 1-1 draw and the all-important point.Earlier, in the first match of the tournament, Japan’s women did well to keep the Australians out for much of the first half of their encounter in Amsterdam. But the first goal of the FIH Hockey World Cup eventually came courtesy of an Australian penalty corner, with Claire Colwill dragging in the opener in the 27th minute. Colwill plugged in a second from Australia’s fifth penalty corner of the match in the 51st minute – again dragging the ball into the bottom right corner to seal a 2-0 victory.Colwill was named Player of the Match and said afterwards: “It’s a great start and I think to be the first game of the whole tournament is really exciting too, so hopefully the crowd liked it and got around us.”The first men’s match of the tournament saw India celebrating their Independence Day with a 3-1 win against Wales in Jacob Draper’s 100th match for the Welsh. India’s first goal came from a penalty corner with Sanjay’s flick squeezing through the keeper’s legs in the eighth minute.Harmanpreet Singh added his name to the scoresheet three minutes later from a perfectly executed penalty corner. And the prolific veteran completed his brace with another excellently taken penalty corner in the third quarter. Sam Welsh pulled one back for Wales in the 56th minute, but it was not enough to deny the Indians a confident 3-1 win.Harmanpreet was named Player of the Match and said: “I think we started very well and I’m very happy with one of our youngsters scoring a goal with a drag flick and as a team we managed the ball very well.”

Rawalpindi (PR): Butt Hockey Academy Rawalpindi organized two thrilling hockey matches at Shehnaz Sheikh Hockey Stadium, Rawalpindi, as part of the Independence Day celebrations in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.The first match was played between Women XI Rawalpindi and Butt Women Hockey Academy, with Women XI Rawalpindi securing a narrow 1-0 victory.In the second encounter, Rawalpindi Hockey Club faced Butt Hockey Club, where Butt Hockey Academy produced an impressive performance to register a convincing 3-0 win.The Principal of Askaria College graced the occasion as the chief guest. The celebrations also included an Independence Day cake-cutting ceremony organized by Butt Hockey Academy, followed by the distribution of prizes among the players.In a special tribute to his services to hockey, Jameel Butt, International Coach and Referee, was honored during the ceremony. As a gesture of appreciation, Askaria College presented him with a brand-new Honda motorcycle for his outstanding services and contribution to the promotion of hockey.A large number of spectators turned up at the stadium and enthusiastically witnessed both matches, adding to the festive atmosphere.The event reflected the spirit of Independence Day while promoting hockey and encouraging young players in the Rawalpindi-Islamabad region.