International Hockey Federation president Tayyab Ikram has thrown his weight behind a plan to launch a professional league in Pakistan, arguing that a domestic competition could rekindle the nation’s love for the sport and give its athletes a platform to shine on the world stage.
The Pakistan‑India Rivalry as a Global Draw
Speaking at a recent forum, Ikram explained that the proposed league would not only broadcast matches across the country but also stream them internationally, giving local players the exposure they have long lacked. For many Pakistanis who have struggled to follow hockey regularly, the league would represent a long‑awaited chance to watch their favourite game at home.
The president highlighted the historic Pakistan‑India rivalry as a cornerstone of global hockey interest, noting that encounters between the two neighbours draw massive crowds, dominate social‑media conversations and fill stadiums from the Netherlands to Asia. He pointed to a recent World Cup clash in the Netherlands that sold out, underscoring the rivalry’s enduring magnetic pull.
Ikram also praised the Dutch model, where families treat hockey as a weekly ritual. In the Netherlands, children as young as five or six attend matches, and households spend four days a week at the rink, creating a vibrant community around the sport. He suggested that Pakistan could adopt similar practices to broaden participation and deepen fan engagement.
A Vision for Pakistani Hockey
Beyond his professional ambitions, Ikram was recently honoured with the civilian award Tamgha‑e‑Imtiaz, a recognition that he says fuels his commitment to reviving hockey in his homeland. The accolade, he explained, serves as a reminder of the responsibility he feels toward the sport’s future.