What is The National Sport of Pakistan?

Hockey is the national sport of Pakistan. It is a team sport played between two teams of eleven players each on a hockey field, which is a rectangular grass pitch with a goal at each end. The players use a hockey stick to hit a small, hard ball into the opposing goal.

Field hockey has a long history in Pakistan. The first hockey club in the country was established in 1876, and the Pakistan Hockey Federation was founded in 1948. Pakistan has won four Olympic gold medals in field hockey, more than any other country. The country has also won eight Hockey World Cups, second only to India.

Cricket is also a very popular sport in Pakistan. It is sometimes regarded as the de facto national sport due to its large popularity and success. Pakistan has won the Cricket World Cup once, in 1992. The country has also won the ICC World Twenty20 twice, in 2009 and 2021.

Despite the popularity of cricket, field hockey remains the national sport of Pakistan. This is due to the country’s long history of success in the sport, as well as the fact that it is seen as a more traditional and indigenous sport.

Why field hockey is considered the national sport of Pakistan:

• Pakistan has won more Olympic gold medals in field hockey than any other country.
• Pakistan has won more Hockey World Cups than any other country except India.
• Field hockey is a more traditional and indigenous sport in Pakistan than cricket.
• Field hockey is seen as a more unifying sport in Pakistan, as it is played by people of all ages and backgrounds.

While cricket is more popular in Pakistan today, field hockey remains the national sport. It is a sport that is steeped in history and tradition, and it continues to be a source of pride for the Pakistani people.

Famous Pakistani field hockey players:

Abdul Rasheed (1922-1993): Rasheed was considered one of the greatest field hockey players of all time. He was a member of the Pakistan team that won the Olympic gold medal in 1960 and 1964.

Hassan Sardar (born 1964): Sardar is the most capped player in Pakistan’s field hockey history. He has played in four Olympic Games and won three gold medals.

Sohail Abbas (born 1975): Abbas is the all-time leading scorer in international field hockey. He has scored over 300 goals for Pakistan.

Shahbaz Ahmed (born 1985): Ahmed is the current captain of the Pakistan national field hockey team. He has won two Olympic gold medals and three Hockey World Cups.

These are just a few of the many great Pakistani field hockey players. The sport has a long and rich history in Pakistan, and it continues to be a source of pride for the Pakistani people.