US-based Pakistani businessman pledges support to Dar hockey academy

LAHORE: Farooq Gaba, a successful Pakistani-American businessman, has committed financial support to the renowned Dar Hockey Academy during a nostalgic visit to his hometown of Lahore, marking a significant boost for grassroots hockey development in Pakistan.

Gaba, who heads an international aircraft parts supply business serving over 30 countries from bases in the United States and New Zealand, was moved by the academy’s efforts to revive Pakistan’s hockey legacy during his visit to the training facility.

“I left Pakistan more than 40 years ago when our country ruled the world of hockey,” Gaba reflected during his meeting with academy president and Olympic gold medallist Tauqeer Dar. “It depresses me to see the fall of Pakistan hockey. In these dark times, the Dar Hockey Academy is doing a great job.”

The businessman’s connection to Pakistani hockey runs deep, dating back to his school days at Crescent Model School in Lahore. “I regularly played hockey and was a school team member,” Gaba recalled. “I remember playing against Tauqeer Dar’s Divisional Public School, the strongest side among Lahore’s private schools.”

After observing the academy’s training session, Gaba praised its comprehensive approach to talent development. “The academy is scouting talent from all over the country, providing accommodation to outstation boys, and imparting modern coaching - without charging a dime,” he noted. “The regular selection of its boys in Pakistan’s national teams manifests the academy’s success.” The Dar Hockey Academy, under the leadership of Tauqeer Dar, has emerged as a crucial institution in Pakistan’s efforts to reclaim its former glory in international hockey.