Pakistan Set for Women’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2026

Pakistan will participate in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 in China as the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) steps up efforts to revive women’s hockey in the country.

As part of preparations for the continental tournament, the PHF will hold a national training and selection camp in Islamabad from Aug. 18.

Players from the top four teams of the recently concluded National Girls Under-18/Under-21 Championship will be invited to the camp. Talented players from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will also be given an opportunity through trials.

PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said selections would be made on merit and transparency, with players assessed on their performance, technical ability, fitness, tactical understanding, and discipline.

“Our players possess tremendous talent, passion and ability. We want to provide them with opportunities to compete internationally and become the stars of Pakistan hockey’s bright future,” Wani said.

The training camp will focus on fitness, modern coaching methods, tactical preparation, video analysis, and preparations in line with international standards.

The PHF also plans to use the camp to identify and develop a broader pool of young players who could form the foundation of future national women’s teams.

The initiative follows the successful staging of the National Women’s Hockey Championship and junior-level competitions as the federation looks to strengthen the women’s game at both grassroots and elite levels.

“Our objective is not merely to participate in the event in China. We want to establish a sustainable system for girls’ hockey, from schools and grassroots programmes to the junior and senior levels,” Wani said.

According to the PHF, 706 schools have so far been registered under its grassroots initiative aimed at expanding girls’ hockey across Pakistan.

The federation will also work with provincial associations, coaches, and other stakeholders to identify promising players and create more opportunities for them to compete at higher levels.

Pakistan’s participation in the Junior Asia Cup is expected to provide further momentum to the federation’s efforts to rebuild women’s hockey and develop a new generation of players.

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