Private Sector Steps In to Support Pakistan Hockey Players

At a time when Pakistan hockey continues to struggle to find steady financial backing, two respected businessmen have stepped forward to make a real difference for the national players. Anwar Khawaja of AK Industries and Khawaja Masood Akhtar of Forward Sports have announced a new initiative that will directly support nine Pakistan hockey team players through monthly stipends and professional gear.

Their move has been widely praised as an example of how private companies can step up to revive the national sport instead of focusing all the attention on cricket.

The list of players who will benefit from this support includes some of the country’s most promising and established names. The arrangement divides the athletes into two categories:

Category A

• Hannan Shahid
• Sufyan Khan
• Ammad Butt

These three Pakistan hockey players will receive the top level of financial support as well as new equipment.

Category B

• Salman Razzak
• Rana Waleed
• Abdul Rehman (Senior)
• Abuzar
• Ali Raza
• Faizan Janjua

This sponsorship is more than just money. It’s about restoring respect and hope in a sport that once made Pakistan a powerhouse on the world stage. Over the last decade, many hockey players have faced serious financial challenges, often struggling to pay for their basic needs while trying to represent the country.

Forward Sports, one of the companies behind this effort, is well-known internationally as a supplier of footballs to FIFA World Cups. By supporting hockey, they are showing that Pakistani businesses can help preserve the country’s sporting traditions.

Pakistan hockey has shown signs of life in recent outings on the international stage, and the hope is that with proper backing, the current team will be able to replicate the success of their predecessors. The announcement has already sparked optimism that other private companies will follow this example and invest in hockey’s future.

For now, the nine Pakistan Hockey players named will be able to train with better equipment and a bit more peace of mind — proof that when the private sector joins hands with sport, good things can happen.