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LAHORE - International Hockey Federation (FIH) President Tayyab Ikram has backed plans for the Pakistan Hockey League (PHL), saying the proposed competition could play a vital role in reviving the sport in Pakistan and provide local players with a professional platform to showcase their talent. Speaking to the media from Lausanne, Ikram also praised the ongoing 2026 Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium, describing the Pakistan-India clash as a major success in terms of viewership, engagement and global attention.He said matches between traditional rivals carry exceptional importance at both Asian and international levels, with the intense rivalry capable of attracting larger audiences and generating greater interest in the sport. Ikram stressed that it was not too late to launch the PHL, arguing that a professionally organised domestic league could help reconnect Pakistani fans with hockey while giving players valuable exposure and opportunities to develop.He also highlighted the Netherlands’ strong hockey culture, where families and communities remain deeply involved in the sport, offering a model Pakistan could learn from to strengthen grassroots development.