ISLAMABAD: The embassies of Belgium and the Netherlands hosted a reception to celebrate the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 and honour the Pakistan national field hockey team.
The event was attended by diplomats from qualifying countries, members of the Pakistan national team, young players and students who will be leaving to study in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Ambassador of Belgium Idesbald van der Gracht welcomed the guests, saying, “Pakistan, Belgium and the Netherlands have a few things in common.
Let me start by mentioning three of them: they produce excellent diplomats; the students represent the future of their nations; and they are among very few countries whose hockey teams can claim to be hockey world cup champions.
“Tonight, we are going to celebrate two exciting journeys. The first one is of the Pakistan Men’s Hockey Team which has successfully qualified for the 2026 Hockey World Cup to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
And the second one is a journey of students who are preparing to begin a new chapter of their lives in our two countries. To all of you, hockey players, congratulations! You made it; after eight years, welcome back to the world stage. Welcome back to a tournament where you might compete with our two countries but also with teams from Argentina, Germany, Spain, Ireland, Malaysia, South Africa - all of which are represented here by my colleagues tonight,” he said.
Recognising the return of the Pakistan team to the world stage, Ambassador van der Gracht said, “Welcome back - as I must confess for many fans in Belgium, and I suspect across the world, Pakistan is not just another hockey nation. Pakistan is hockey royalty. Belgium and the Netherlands can also boast players who have won the title of player of the tournament at the Hockey World Cup but one player in history of the Hockey World Cup has been named the player of the tournament on two occasions; this player is Pakistan’s Shahbaz Ahmed, who is present here. Shahbaz, may your remarkable career continue to inspire these players and more broadly may your example inspire us all in our own pursuit of excellence.”
Hajo Provo Kluit, Chargé d’Affaires of the Netherlands, added, “What I have noticed in my years here in Pakistan is how much hockey unites our nations. The memories that people have brought with them from the world cups, from the matches, but going on to coaching in the Netherlands or coaching here, continue that bond and continue bridging our two countries.
“This is wonderful! What I would like to say to all of you is that you have such a nice future ahead of you. Enjoy yourselves and remember the friendships and the memories you forge now will stay with you forever.
“You will be the best ambassadors for Pakistan, Belgium and the Netherlands!” Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, said.
“Best wishes for the players so they can demonstrate their skills and be good ambassadors of Pakistan by their demeanour, conduct and character. I would also add to the shared characteristics that the Ambassador shared: we now have a Dutch coach who lives in Belgium!”
He expressed his appreciation to the envoys for encouraging the Pakistani players and congratulated the students who would be studying in the EU.
The evening ended with the handover of hockey sticks by members of the Pakistan national team to young hockey players, symbolising the importance of inspiring the next generation and promoting the spirit of sport.
Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2026
