Staying relevant in a changing world

Opening the Summit, FIH President Tayyab Ikram delivered a clear message about the pace of change facing international sport.

“The environment around our sport is moving fast. We cannot stand still! We have to act.”

Ikram said the National Associations Summits provided an important opportunity for hockey leaders to exchange ideas between formal FIH Congresses rather than waiting for the traditional governance cycle.

Central to the discussions was a fundamental question increasingly facing sports organisations: how do they remain relevant to younger generations?

FIH highlighted greater investment in digital content around major events and a growing emphasis on placing athletes at the centre of the sport’s development. The Olympic Games also remain fundamental, with FIH recognising that hockey must be relevant, cost-effective and less complex while delivering lasting legacy and meaningful impact.

Athletes, community and impact

The direction is reflected in a new FIH Strategy, which will be formally introduced at the next FIH Congress and is structured around five pillars: Athletes, Community, Movement, Impact and Growth.

Alongside this, FIH’s Empowerment and Engagement Strategy is seeking to provide National Associations with greater resources and opportunities. Initiatives include free Hockey5s pitches, with projects already completed in Egypt and Sri Lanka, alongside investment in coaching, competition and development programmes.

Women and girls were another significant focus. A dedicated Women in Hockey session explored how the sport can create stronger pathways and environments in which women and girls can participate and lead, supported by contributions from Laureus Sport for Good and representatives from across hockey.

Sustainability built into hockey’s future

Sustainability formed a dedicated part of the Summit, focusing particularly on turf management and ensuring hockey facilities remain fit for the future. Representatives from National Associations and the synthetic turf industry discussed responsible management, innovation and collaboration as essential components of more sustainable playing environments.

The breadth of the discussions is significant. Rather than treating sustainability, inclusion, participation, athlete voice and growth as separate agendas, FIH is increasingly bringing them together within a broader conversation about the future relevance and impact of hockey.

That progress is reflected in the Global Sustainable Sport SPI Index, where FIH is ranked within the Global Top 50 with a C+ – Purpose Advanced rating.

For Ikram, however, delivering that future will ultimately depend on the people across hockey’s global network.

“You are great sports leaders, you are helping our athletes, you’re passionate, you’re investing a lot of your time.”

The Summit suggests FIH understands that being ‘Fit for the Future’ is not simply about protecting hockey’s position within the Olympic movement. It is about ensuring the sport continues to evolve, broaden its reach and create meaningful impact for the communities it serves.