Dutch sports icons due in Islamabad to promote peace, social inclusion

Islamabad:The Embassy of the Netherlands on Sunday announced the visit of two prominent Dutch sports personalities - Olympian Floris Jan Bovelander and Dutch-Pakistani footballer Kayanat Bokhari - at the end of the current month, as part of the celebrations for the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, marked annually on April 6.

The initiative highlights the role of sport as a powerful tool for peacebuilding, development and social inclusion, aligning with this year’s IDSDP theme: Leveling the Playing Field: Sport for Social Inclusion, according to the embassy. Bovelander, a hockey legend known for his exceptional penalty corner skills, was part of the Dutch team that triumphed over Pakistan in the 1990 Hockey World Cup final in Lahore.

The embassy said his visit would celebrate the shared hockey heritage between Pakistan and the Netherlands while inspiring young athletes to strive for excellence in sports. Joining him is Kayanat Bokhari, a Dutch-Pakistani footballer who has represented Pakistan at the international level. A vocal advocate for women’s participation in sports, she aims to spotlight Pakistan’s football talent and promote gender inclusivity through her engagement.

During their stay, both sports ambassadors will interact with members of local communities, athletes, youth groups and organisations to share their experiences and encouraging cross-cultural exchange through sport.

Dutch Ambassador Henny de Vries invited all stakeholders to join in the celebration of sports diplomacy. She said that the embassy had been actively promoting inclusive sports, especially hockey, in Pakistan and in February 2024, for the first time in 22 years, a Dutch hockey team came to Pakistan to play matches against a team of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.

Ahead of the visit, Bovelander and Bokhari met Pakistan’s Ambassador to Sweden Syed Haider Shah at the embassy in Stockholm.