Latest news with #U18AsiaCup
Business Recorder
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
A flicker of hope: Pakistan hockey's slow return to the global stage
For a nation that once ruled the hockey world with an iron grip, Pakistan's recent back-to-back final appearances in the FIH Nations Cup and the Men's U18 Asia Cup in 2025 have reignited a spark of hope. After decades of underachievement, these runner-up finishes in 2025, while not yielding trophies, mark a shift in momentum for a sport that has languished far from its glorious past. The Green Shirts, for the first time in years, are being discussed not just in terms of legacy, but also in terms of possibility. The weight of history Pakistan's hockey pedigree is unmatched in Asia. Four World Cup titles, three Olympic golds, and a host of continental triumphs once positioned the country as a field hockey superpower. The 1980s in particular saw dominance under players like Hassan Sardar, Islahuddin, and Shahbaz Ahmed Sr., whose influence extended well beyond the field. But the decline has been sharp. The last major title, the 1994 World Cup in Sydney, is now over three decades old. Since then, the national team has missed out on World Cups and Olympic Games, dropped in rankings, and watched its domestic infrastructure erode. The National Hockey Stadium in Lahore, once the largest of its kind, now reflects this neglect. Turning a corner The FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, where Pakistan beat France in the semifinal before falling to New Zealand, marked the senior team's first final appearance in a major FIH event in more than ten years. Captain Ammad Butt called it a 'revival' of the sport. While perhaps premature, the performance did signal tactical improvement and competitive intent. The Under-18 squad followed closely in China, reaching the final of the Asia Cup after dominant wins in the group stage. Despite losing to Japan in the final, the emergence of players like Ali Hamza and Hasan Shahbaz has given observers reason to hope for a more sustainable pipeline of talent. The campaigns were far from perfect, but in the context of Pakistani hockey's broader decline, reaching two finals in the span of a month is a notable achievement. Why this moment matters Pakistan's entry into the 2025-26 FIH Pro League, made possible after New Zealand withdrew, presents an unprecedented opportunity. For years, Pakistan's biggest handicap has been its absence from consistent high-level competition. The Pro League could bridge that gap, but only if backed by adequate preparation, financial support, and institutional consistency. These appearances also suggest a deeper, if tentative, recovery. The senior team's Nations Cup run showed a return to structure and belief. The U18 team's progress reflected the potential of younger players even under difficult circumstances, including limited training time and logistical delays. Persistent challenges However, systemic issues continue to threaten any long-term revival. Reports of players going unpaid for weeks after the Nations Cup and the absence of central contracts reflect the Pakistan Hockey Federation's financial instability. Private donors temporarily filling the gap is not a sustainable model. Pakistan still lacks a professional domestic league, an essential platform for developing match-ready talent. Facilities remain underfunded, and administrative turnover has made long-term planning difficult. Political tensions in the region are another factor. Pakistan's participation in upcoming tournaments in India, including the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup, remains uncertain due to visa restrictions and unresolved diplomatic issues. If unresolved, these barriers could again limit international exposure for emerging players. A fragile opportunity There is no shortage of goodwill. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and national cricket captain Babar Azam have both publicly supported the hockey team. But symbolic gestures alone will not revive the sport. A professional structure, improved facilities, and guaranteed financial backing remain critical. The recent visit by Germany's U21 team, the first in 21 years, was a positive sign, but Pakistan needs more than isolated events to rejoin the international elite. Veteran Hassan Sardar, a legend of the 1980s era, sees potential in the current squad. 'These boys have the heart to fight,' he said. 'But heart alone won't win World Cups. They need structure, support, and belief from the system.' The way forward For Pakistan hockey's revival to be more than a moment, it needs structure beneath the sentiment. As former captain Islahuddin suggested earlier, 'Rebuilding must start from the grassroots.' Reviving club hockey and restoring school and college competitions is crucial to developing young talent. 'Without a proper pipeline, we'll keep recycling the same problems,' he warned. A major gap continues to be the lack of consistent exposure to high-level international competition. Without opportunities to face top-ranked teams or participate in overseas leagues, players miss out on the experience needed to raise their game beyond local standards. Equally pressing is the absence of financial incentives. The phasing out of institutional jobs, contracts, and long-term benefits has made hockey an increasingly unattractive career path for young athletes. Without financial stability, many are turning away from the sport altogether. Governance is another central concern. Years of internal politics and ad-hoc decision-making have eroded confidence in the system. Any meaningful progress will require professional management, transparency, and long-term planning. Pakistan has the talent, but without systems to support it, that talent will continue to be wasted.
ILoveQatar.net
04-07-2025
- Sport
- ILoveQatar.net
Qatar wins hosting rights for FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026
The Qatar Olympic Committee announced on 3 July 2025 that Qatar has won the hosting rights for FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026. قطر تفوز بحق استضافة بطولة كأس آسيا تحت 18 سنة 2026, وذلك بعد إعلان المكتب الإقليمي للاتحاد الدولي لكرة السلة (FIBA) - في آسيا عن الدول المستضيفة لبطولات FIBA في قارة آسيا للفترة من 2026 إلى 2028. 🌏🇶🇦🏀 Qatar wins the hosting rights for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026, following… — Team Qatar 🇶🇦 (@qatar_olympic) July 3, 2025 In an official statement, the federation noted that the Asian Basketball Confederation's selection of Qatar to host the tournament underscores Doha's prominent status as a distinguished sports destination for basketball tournaments and events. The statement added that the championship will feature 16 Asian national teams competing in intense matches across two state-of-the-art venues, with eight games played daily. This will provide significant technical benefits and enhance Qatar's organizational capabilities, especially as the country prepares to host the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the first of its kind in the Middle East. In this context, President of the Qatar Basketball Federation Mohammed Saad Al Mughaiseeb emphasised that hosting continental and global tournaments in Qatar reflects the nation's full commitment to supporting team sports. He added that the U18 Asia Cup represents a crucial opportunity to develop young talents in the sport and serves as a catalyst for improvement through competition against strong teams. He explained that the Qatar Basketball Federation is working closely with relevant authorities, the Asian Basketball Confederation, and FIBA to ensure the organisation of exceptional tournaments that combine professionalism and ideal management while providing a competitive and healthy environment for all participating teams, including players, coaches, administrators, and fans. Al Mughaiseeb affirmed that the federation looks forward to hosting numerous future tournaments aimed at promoting the 2027 Qatar Basketball World Cup, optimally preparing national teams, and developing Qatari personnel through continental and global competitions, in addition to contributing to the promotion of sports tourism in Qatar. The President of the Qatar Basketball Federation stressed the immense value of the U18 Asia Cup, noting that hosting a continental championship will pave the way for perfecting the organisation of the World Cup and open broad horizons for Qatari youth to advance in both the sporting and organisational aspects of events. It will also showcase Qatar's ability to host global events with the highest standards of quality.
