ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced Rs1 million ($3,599) for each member of the Pakistan hockey team that clinched the silver medal in the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup in Malaysia.
The announcement came shortly after the Pakistan team arrived in the eastern city of Lahore to a hero’s welcome on Sunday, where they were welcomed by Rana Mashhood, chairman of chairman of PM’s Youth Program, and hundreds of jubilant Pakistanis.
Japan defeated Pakistan in a penalty shootout after a tense 2-2 draw in Ipoh on Saturday in a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final. Pakistan reached the tournament’s final for the first time since 2011 following a series of stellar performances.
In a post on Facebook, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) thanked PM Sharif for his generous support and encouragement toward the national heroes.
“Thanks to the PM’s announcement of 18 million PKR (1 million cash for each player), for our Silver medalist Pakistan Hockey Team at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup feels honored and appreciated for their hard work and dedication,” the PHF said.
“This gesture not only acknowledges their exceptional performance but also serves as a motivating force for them to continue striving for excellence on the international stage!“
Six teams participated in the event, including the tournament Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Canada.
Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title three times in the past and stood the second runners-up in the last edition that was also held in Malaysia two years ago.
Pakistan’s feat at the Azlan Shah Cup has rekindled hopes of a hockey renaissance after decades of dormancy in the national game.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Sunday held a two-hour-long meeting with the Pakistan cricket team in Dublin, where he urged the Green Shirts to “fight until the last ball” in the upcoming Twenty20 matches against Ireland and England.
Ireland beat Pakistan for the first time in a T20 fixture in the opener of a three-match series on Friday, courtesy of a heroic 77-run knock by Andy Balbirnie that helped the home side win by five wickets against Babar Azam’s squad.
The defeat was a blow for the South Asian squad as it prepares for the upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup scheduled to take place from June 2 in the United States and West Indies, by playing separate cricket series against Ireland and England.
PCB chief Naqvi arrived in Dublin on Saturday to hold meetings with the team to boost their morale ahead of the second T20.
“He encouraged the players and advised to work hard and adopt a professional approach to the game,” the PCB said in a statement. “He urged the players to fight until the last ball and [said] if they work together as a team, they will achieve victory.”

After the Ireland series, Pakistan will travel to England to play a four-match series against the home side from May 22-30 in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff and London before departing for the US for the mega event.
Pakistan will begin their World Cup campaign against the United States on June 6 before taking on arch-rivals India in a high-octane clash on June 9 in New York.
Naqvi said that the team’s bowling attack was “excellent,” but fielding needed improvement to prevent opposing teams from getting any chances.
“After Ireland and England, the real test is the World Cup,” he added.