Two Karachi-born hockey players have earned places in the United States Masters Hockey team for the upcoming Masters Hockey World Cup, a significant achievement for Pakistan’s hockey community and the players' adopted nation.According to media reports,  Arif Siddiqui and Parvez Iqbal have been selected to represent the United States in the over-65 age category at the prestigious tournament, which will be held in the Netherlands and Belgium later this year. 

The Masters Hockey World Cup will bring together 120 teams from 23 countries competing across six different age categories.  The event is scheduled to run from 26 July to 16 August and will be hosted in four cities across the two European countries. Both Siddiqui and Iqbal have strong ties to Karachi and boast extensive experience in the sport.  Their selection reflects years of dedication and continued involvement in competitive hockey at the masters level. 

Siddiqui is no stranger to representing the United States, having previously featured for the American side in 2024.  Earlier in his career, he represented Pakistan at the Masters Hockey World Cup in 2014, highlighting his long-standing contribution to the game at the international level. Iqbal also has an impressive hockey background and has represented Pakistan in international matches on several occasions. The upcoming tournament will mark his first appearance in the Masters Hockey World Cup for the United States.

The selection of the two players has been welcomed by members of the hockey community, who view their inclusion in the American squad as recognition of the talent and experience developed through Pakistan’s rich hockey tradition. With teams from around the world preparing for the competition, the Masters Hockey World Cup is expected to showcase some of the finest veteran players in the sport and celebrate hockey’s enduring appeal across generations.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)