Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The first-ever ice hockey match in Pakistan’s history was played between Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts teams in Naltar Valley on Saturday. The match was played at PAF Ski Resort in Naltar. Players from both the teams demonstrated extraordinary skills during the match, however, neither of the two could score a goal in set time. Therefore, the winners had to be decided through penalty shootouts. PAF’s Shah Siyar scored a decisive goal taking his side to victory against GB Scouts. The introduction of ice hockey in the region is an effort to keep similar traditional sports, played in GB through wooden sticks and a ball, alive.

Many countries recognise ice hockey as a top national sport. Finland, Canada, and Russia all value it on the national level. Canada is the most popular destination for ice hockey as the people there love this contact sport. In Pakistan, however, ice hockey has been unheard of, up until now. The history of ice hockey in Gilgit-Baltistan region could be related to a local game, called ‘Ghatal’, which is also played with two sticks and a ball. To continue the legacy of this traditional game, ice hockey has been introduced in the region. Earlier, the Winter Sports Federation of Pakistan (WSFP) chalked out an elaborated calendar of events for the 2018-19 season, according to a PAF spokesperson. In a statement, he said the winter sports season has already commenced at PAF Naltar with Sadia Khan and Children Ski Cup this week. Besides snowboarding and ice skating, ice hockey competitions would also be held at the venue for the first time in Pakistan.

Published in Daily Times, December 30^th 2018.