https://twitter.com/home https://www.facebook.com/Shabbir.Hussain191By Shabbir Hussain
ISLAMABAD, April 30 (Diplomatic Star): The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Islamabad celebrated King’s Day on April 29 with a vibrant event dedicated to sports diplomacy, commemorating the birthday of His Majesty King Willem-Alexander.
The celebration emphasized the strong commitment of both Pakistan and the Netherlands to using sports as a powerful tool for social inclusion, youth empowerment, and cultural exchange.
The event featured the “Sports Connect” exhibition, which presented inspiring stories of Dutch and Pakistani athletes through immersive visual and narrative displays.
Ambassador Henny de Vries, speaking at the ceremony, highlighted the unifying power of sports in today’s increasingly divided world.
“Sport reminds us of what we have in common. It empowers us and teaches us teamwork and respect — values that are essential in our communities and in building bridges between nations,” she said.
Dutch field hockey legend Floris Jan Bovelander was the guest of honor. He is set to lead specialized training clinics, interact with young Pakistani athletes, and conduct workshops on modern coaching methodologies.
Federal Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan reaffirmed the government’s support for sports development, stating that international partnerships like this one play a crucial role in reviving sports culture and fostering goodwill between nations.
The celebration aligned with Pakistan’s official declaration of 2025 as the “Year of Sports Revival.” A diverse group of attendees, including diplomats, civil society members, government officials, and private-sector leaders, participated in the event.
The initiative also attracted sponsorship from major companies such as Akzo Nobel, Friesland Campina, Keune Pakistan, Lipton, EngroVopak Terminal Ltd, Cloud Agri Pakistan, Barkat Frisian Pasteurized Egg Company (Pvt.) Ltd, and SPG Prints Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd.
Their involvement underscored the rising interest of the corporate sector in supporting grassroots sports development in Pakistan.
