Pakistan has carved its name into ice hockey history by winning its first-ever international championship, clinching the LATAM Cup Division III title in the United States.The men’s team thrashed Peru 6–1 in the final to finish the tournament unbeaten, while the women’s side marked its debut by bagging a bronze medal in Division II.ALSO READ India Loses Key Venue as ICC Overhauls Women’s World Cup ScheduleFor a sport still in its infancy in Pakistan, the twin achievements are nothing short of remarkable.The men’s team, after winning just one match in their maiden LATAM Cup appearance last year, roared back this time with a flawless record—five victories in tournament play followed by the emphatic win over Peru in the final.Head coach Kameron Sabir, a Canadian physician from Edmonton, called it “an amazing day for the country and ice hockey.” He praised not just the champions but also the women’s team, which fielded a small squad of barely 10–12 players yet still managed to secure bronze.“You can’t do better than this—first gold, first cup,” Sabir said. “And hats off to the women; they did such an amazing job in their first tournament.”This year’s LATAM Cup featured more than 62 men’s, women’s, and youth teams—plus exhibition squads—representing 17 countries and territories. For Pakistan to come out on top in such a competitive field has been described by analysts as a watershed moment.Officials believe Pakistan’s triumph will give ice hockey in the country a vital push, potentially attracting investment in rinks and facilities that meet international standards. That, in turn, could open doors to sanctioned tournaments and future Olympic qualification.ALSO READ Is Pakistan Cricket Team Paying the Price for Its T20 Obsession?For now, however, the headline is clear: an international title in only their second year of competing signals a bright future for the Pakistan ice hockey team. Fans and officials at home have embraced the moment as historic, hoping it will inspire a new generation of athletes to dream on the ice.The ice may be scarce in Pakistan, but after this golden breakthrough, the future suddenly looks wide open.
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