(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Makes History with First International Ice Hockey Title
Pakistan has made history in ice hockey by winning its first-ever international championship, clinching the LATAM Cup Division III title in the United States.
The men’s team dominated Peru 6–1 in the final, finishing the tournament unbeaten. Meanwhile, the women’s team made an impressive debut, securing a bronze medal in Division II. For a sport still in its early stages in Pakistan, these achievements are a major milestone.
Last year, Pakistan’s men’s team had won only one match in their first LATAM Cup appearance. This year, they bounced back with a perfect record—five wins in tournament play followed by the decisive victory over Peru in the final.
Head coach Kameron Sabir, a Canadian physician from Edmonton, described the day as “amazing for the country and ice hockey.” He praised both the men’s and women’s teams, noting that the women’s squad, with just 10–12 players, performed remarkably to claim bronze.
This year’s LATAM Cup featured over 62 men’s, women’s, and youth teams, plus exhibition squads, from 17 countries and territories. Analysts have called Pakistan’s triumph a watershed moment for the sport, highlighting the team’s rapid rise in a competitive field.
Officials hope this victory will boost ice hockey’s profile in Pakistan, attracting investment in rinks and facilities that meet international standards, and potentially paving the way for future sanctioned tournaments and Olympic qualification.
For now, Pakistan celebrates a historic achievement: an international title in just their second year of competition, signaling a bright future for ice hockey in the country and inspiring the next generation of players.
