The German Junior Hockey Team, world champions, arrived in Pakistan for a four-match series, marking the return of international hockey to the country after nearly 15 years, according to a government press release.

Pakistan hosted its first international hockey match in seven years in 2011, when China played four matches in a series dubbed the ‘Friendship Series.’ Prior to that, the last international match in the country was held in 2004, when Pakistan hosted the Champions Trophy in Lahore.

The four-match series between Pakistan and Germany aims to provide young Pakistani players with international exposure, under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and to reestablish Pakistan as a hub for global hockey.

The series will take place in Islamabad and Lahore, with one match in Islamabad on March 13, and three matches in Lahore on March 6, 8, and 11. This series holds significant importance for both teams as they prepare for the 2025 Hockey Junior World Cup in India.

Pakistan is currently ranked 15th in the world in field hockey, according to the latest International Hockey Federation rankings.

Field hockey, that earned the country Olympic gold and global recognition, has seen a decline in popularity over the past two decades. Contributing factors include poor management, lack of infrastructure, and the rise of cricket, along with failure to adapt to modern demands such as fitness and artificial turfs.