The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has appointed acclaimed Dutch coach Herman Kruis as the National Hockey Coaching Advisor for the men's team on a two-year contract, marking a significant step toward rebuilding the country's hockey fortunes.
Kruis to Modernize Pakistan Hockey
Widely respected for his expertise in high-performance coaching and athlete development, Kruis will play a central role in modernising Pakistan’s hockey structure. His responsibilities include working closely with the senior and junior national teams, strengthening coaching standards, improving player development pathways and establishing a sustainable high-performance system aligned with international best practices.
According to the PHF, Kruis will also provide technical guidance across multiple coaching disciplines while assisting in talent identification programmes and the long-term development of Pakistan’s hockey infrastructure.
World Cup and Asian Games Preparation
The Dutch specialist is expected to join the national squad at the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup, where he will collaborate with the existing coaching staff during a transition period before assuming a leading role in preparations for major international events, including the Asian Games.
Broader Revival Strategy
The federation described the appointment as the first phase of a broader strategy aimed at restoring Pakistan’s competitiveness on the global stage. It also confirmed that several internationally renowned specialist coaches and technical experts will be added to the national programme in the coming months as part of an ambitious long-term revival plan for Pakistan hockey.
