Sufyan Khan adds another feather to his cap

LAHORE: Pakistani defender and drag-flicker Sufyan Khan continues to shine on the international stage, adding another accolade to his burgeoning career.

Just weeks after being honored with the FIH Rising Star of the Year award in Muscat, Oman, Sufyan has emerged as the top scorer at the Junior Asia Cup 2024, also held in Muscat. The talented defender, who serves as the vice-captain of the Pakistan junior hockey team, showcased his prowess with a remarkable tally of 12 goals, including 10 from penalty corners and two from penalty strokes.

His exceptional performance included two hat-tricks, scored against Malaysia and Bangladesh, and a Player of the Match award in Pakistan’s opening encounter against China. In the final, Pakistan faced arch-rivals India but fell short with a 3-5 loss. Sufyan, however, stood out by converting both penalty corners that Pakistan managed to earn. India, in contrast, capitalized on three of their six penalty corners to secure the victory. Observers believe that with more penalty corners, Pakistan might have turned the game in their favor, underlining the critical role Sufyan played in the team’s campaign.

The Bannu-born star, a product of the renowned Dar Hockey Academy in Lahore, exemplifies the academy’s legacy of nurturing top-tier talent. He is among five players in the current junior squad who have graduated from this premier hockey nursery, a testament to the institution’s contribution to Pakistani hockey.

Despite Pakistan finishing as runners-up, Sufyan Khan’s achievements have brought pride to the nation and further solidified his reputation as a future star of world hockey. As he continues to develop, fans and experts alike anticipate even greater accomplishments from this rising talent.