Monday 1 June 2026

Craig Fulton: “The Pro League matches come at a perfect time for us”



As the final stages of the current FIH Hockey Pro League season approach (starting from 13 June), let us hear from the participating teams. Today, Craig Fulton, head coach of the Indian men’s side, shares his thoughts.

PHF enforces austerity drive for Pro League Tour

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has decided to strictly implement austerity measures for the upcoming Pro League tour, with no officials or development committee members travelling abroad with the team at government expense, sources disclosed here.

U18 Asia Cup 2026
Kakamigahara

All times GMT +9

Men

31 May 2026 13:00     BAN v CHN (Pool B)     2 - 3
31 May 2026 15:00     PAK v MAS (Pool B)     2 - 3
31 May 2026 17:00     JPN v IND (Pool A)         4 - 2

1 Jun 2026 17:00     TPE v KAZ (Pool A)         3 - 2 
1 Jun 2026 19:00     KOR v IND (Pool A)     

2 Jun 2026 09:00     MAS v CHN (Pool B)     
2 Jun 2026 19:00     JPN v KOR (Pool A)     

Pool standings

Women

31 May 2026 09:00        KOR v IND (Pool A)         1 - 3
31 May 2026 11:00         MAS v SGP (Pool A)     13 - 0
31 May 2026 19:00         JPN v CHN (Pool B)     2 - 2

1 Jun 2026 15:00         TPE v BAN (Pool B)     0 - 2 

2 Jun 2026 11:00         MAS v KOR (Pool A)     
2 Jun 2026 13:00         IND v SGP (Pool A)     
2 Jun 2026 15:00         CHN v BAN (Pool B)     
2 Jun 2026 17:00         TPE v JPN (Pool B)     

Pool standings

FIH Match Centre

Japan beat India 4-2 in Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026

Ashish Tani Purti (25') and Captain Ketan Kushwaha (32') scored the two goals for India



Kakamigahara, Japan: The Indian U-18 Men’s Hockey Team suffered a 2-4 defeat against hosts Japan in their U-18 Asia Cup 2026 Pool A fixture in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Sunday. Ashish Tani Purti (25') and Captain Ketan Kushwaha (32') scored the two goals for India, while Captain Yoshioka Mahiro (15'), Fujiwara Yuma (20'), Yasui Kengo (34') and Takahashi Aone (42') were the goalscorers for Japan.

Back on track as Malaysia bounce back to tame Pakistan

By Aftar Singh


Malaysia player (in yellow) in action against Pakistan in the Group B match of the boys' Under-18 Asia Cup hockey in Kakamigahara, Japan on May 31. -- Pic by Asian Hockey Federation.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia bounced back to edge Pakistan 3-2 in the boys' Under-18 Asia Cup hockey Group B match at Kakamigahara, Japan on Sunday.

India beat Korea 3-1 to continue winning run at Women’s U18 Asia Cup 2026

Goals from Nousheen, Shruti and Kiran Ekka help India secure second successive win in Kakamigahara, Japan 



New Delhi: The Indian U18 Women’s Hockey Team registered a convincing 3-1 victory over Korea in their second Pool A match of the U18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Sunday. Riding on goals from Nousheen Naz, Shruti Kumari and Kiran Ekka, India maintained their winning momentum in the tournament following their opening-day triumph over Malaysia.

National U-21 hockey camp from June 5

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has formally announced a National Under-21 hockey training camp in Islamabad as part of its plan to promote hockey nationwide and prepare the next generation of players.

Play-outs (M): Tilburg earns promotion as HDM avoids relegation

Peter Klanke



Tilburg men return to the Hoofdklasse. After Saturday's 4-3 win, the Brabanders needed a 1-1 draw against Laren to secure promotion. HDM maintained its position at the highest level. The Hague team also beat Nijmegen in the return game on Sunday (3-1), after winning 2-1 the day before.

Play-outs (W): Oranje-Rood and HDM remain in top flight

Peter Klanke



The ladies of HDM and Oranje-Rood will also play in the Hoofdklasse next season. Both clubs secured retention on Sunday in the return of the play-outs. Oranje-Rood had few problems with Nijmegen and also won the second meeting 3-1, while HDM avoided a shoot-out series thanks to a late equaliser against Ring Pass (1-1) after its 1-0 victory the day before.

Polo finally make breakthrough with first German title



Hamburger Polo Club are finally the German men’s national champions as they won the final at the third attempt, defeating record champions HTC Uhlenhorst Mülheim in the final 4-0 in Bonn.

Düsseldorf continue Bonn love affair with fourth national title



Bonn continues to be a happy hunting ground for Düsseldorfer HC as they won the German women’s title at the venue for the third time out of their four championships in total.

Tauqeer Dar: Most Suitable Person for Pakistan Hockey`s Revival

Pakistan has the potential to excel in every field.

By Ijaz Chaudhry

The prime requirement is Right Person for the Right Job

Pakistan's national game is Hockey. Also, the sport which has given us three golds and three silvers at the Olympics. Unfortunately, Pakistan hockey has hit rock bottom. Pakistan has failed to qualify for the last three Olympics.

There is one person who can reinvigorate Pakistan hockey and bring back the past glories.

What are the Foremost Requirements?
-Revitalising hockey at the Grassroots
-Getting  Sponsorship
-Arranging Foreign Tours  
-Bringing Foreign Teams

Tauqeer Dar (Olympic gold medallist 1984) has the Proven Credentials - Ticks all the Boxes

-He is running the Best Academy in Pakistan, Dar Hockey Academy which is a conveyer belt of talent; providing players to the national teams. Dar Academy boys have been regularly featuring in Pakistan's national and age group teams for the last 10 years
-Arranging Foreign Tours for his academy to top hockey nations: Six tours of Europe in the last 12 years: Holland, Belgium and Germany. Also tours to India & Malaysia.
-All through Sponsorship arranged by his own efforts; not a single penny from the government or federation
-In 2012, when terrorism was at its peak, he arranged a tour of Flying Dutch Veterans to Pakistan. The Dutch team was studded with Olympic & World Cup medallists.  The team played three matches in Lahore including two matches at the Johar Town stadium watched by thousands of spectators.

Easily the most suitable person to turn Pakistan hockey’s fortunes around.

If Tauqeer is appointed the Secretary General of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, he can bring  big business tycoons to sponsor hockey in the country. He can turn the PHF into a corporate body. Pakistan hockey will not be dependent on the government for any financial assistance and will also again see the international achievements of the past.

The following two videos give a good insight into the work & achievements of the Hockey Academy:

Dar Hockey Academy - A Great Success Story
Link:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AjAcFKWjRI0&t=331s

Dar Hockey Academy (Pakistan) Tour of Europe 2019
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TDyMDqK0Gk&t=32s

Ijaz...Ijaz Chaudhry writes on hockey & other sports. For more about him & his work, visit http://www.sportscorrespondent.info