Lahore – Renowned Dutch penalty corner specialist and hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander visited the Khawaja Junaid Hockey Academy at the National Hockey Stadium in Lahore, where he was warmly received by Khawaja Junaid.
Bovelander was introduced to the players of the academy and later joined Khawaja Junaid in a friendly hockey session with young aspiring players. The event was also graced by notable figures including former Olympian Tauqeer Dar ,World Cup Champion Rana Ehsan Ullah Khan , DIG Mehboob Aslam, and Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana. The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Pakistan, Henny de Vries, was also present at the occasion.
In a symbolic gesture of hospitality, Ambassador Henny de Vries and Khawaja Junaid presented Bovelander with a traditional turban, reflecting the deep cultural respect and camaraderie between the Netherlands and Pakistan.
Addressing the media, Bovelander expressed his affection for Pakistan and its hockey legacy:
“I love being back here. I have wonderful memories of Lahore. I hope Pakistan can return to the top of world hockey. It will take time and patience. There’s a strong spirit for hockey in Pakistan, but the structure needs development.”
He humbly added:
“I would love to coach the Pakistan team, but I shouldn’t be kept—I’m not a good coach,” he said with a smile.
Bovelander praised the passion of young players at the academy and emphasized the importance of structured grassroots development:
“It was inspiring to see children playing hockey. In the future, we would love to collaborate further. It is our hope that hockey in Pakistan receives the same structured support as cricket.”
The event was also attended by several prominent coaches and former internationals, including Coach Mohib Ullah, Hasan Abaid Farooqi, Habib Azhar, Asif Pervaiz, International Qadeer Bashir, International Ajmal Butt, and International Mian Ubaid ur Rehman.
The visit marked a significant moment of international sports goodwill, strengthening the bridge between Pakistan and the Netherlands through a shared love of hockey.
