| Hockey in Pakistan dates back to the middle of the | | | | 1994. Pakistan reached the final and won the silver |
| 19th century. It was the British who introduced the | | | | medal twice, in 1975 and 1990 world cup. The 1994 |
| game to the Indian public when their regiments were | | | | world cup final match was the most thrilling one. In 1990 |
| stationed there. Cricket was not so popular then, and | | | | world cup final in Lahore, Pakistan, Netherlands |
| hockey began to be considered as the national game | | | | defeated Pakistan. Pakistan paid back the Dutch in |
| of India. Of course, since there was no Pakistan | | | | 1994 in the same currency. 1994 world cup final was |
| before 1947, everyone who represented India in any | | | | won by Pakistan on Penalty shoot outs. It was a very |
| tournament was an "Indian". The game caught the | | | | thrilling match. Shahbaz Ahmed was Pakistan's captain |
| people's fancy to such an extent, that Indians won | | | | in that tournament. The victory was overwhelming for |
| eight Olympic gold medals (six of them in consecutive | | | | the nation as Pakistan won two major hockey |
| events). This period (1928 to 1980) was therefore | | | | tournaments in 1994, namely World cup and |
| hailed as "The Golden Era of Sub continent Hockey". | | | | Champions trophy. |
| The Pakistan Hockey Federation was formed in 1948, | | | | Yes, they have had their share of defeats too! But |
| the hockey players were given the name of "Green | | | | regardless of any hits or misses, the Pakistan hockey |
| Shirts", and hockey became the national game of | | | | team is indeed a force to reckon with! Other teams |
| Pakistan too. And once things were put in place, there | | | | better beware! They have to really toil to be one up |
| was no looking back for Pakistan hockey! | | | | on all of their accomplishments over the years! For |
| And to be sure, Pakistan has produced many "hockey" | | | | now at least, it seems to be a well nigh impossible |
| greats over the years! The list is too long to be | | | | task! |
| covered in this small article, but some noteworthy | | | | Hockey is Pakistan's national game and Pakistanis |
| names that deserve mention are-Hasan Sardar, | | | | take pride in hockey. They have a glorious history of |
| Waseem Ahmed, Mohammed Saqlain, Shahid Ali Khan, | | | | winning in hockey. At present the hockey team's |
| Shahbaz Ahmed, Shahnaz Sheikh, and Sohail Abbas. | | | | performance has not been really impressive for past |
| Hasan Sardar, of course, was "the wizard of Pakistan | | | | few years, but it is improving. The nation needs to bring |
| hockey"! He has been instrumental in several | | | | the young talent out and to ensure that the young |
| international wins for the country. | | | | guns get proper training. Hockey and its victories are a |
| As far as the world cup hockey tournament in Men's | | | | glorious heritage of Pakistan which the nation would |
| hockey is concerned, Pakistan has won the most. | | | | love to carry forward. We hope to see the team with |
| Pakistan hockey team has bagged 4 world cups in all. | | | | best world cup hockey records to be back full force |
| Pakistan won the world cup in 1971, 1978, 1982 and | | | | very soon. |