The voice, wellbeing and future of athletes took centre stage as the International Hockey Federation (FIH) organised its first-ever FIH Athletes Forum on the sidelines of the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026.
Bringing together members of the FIH Athletes’ Committee, athletes and young athletes participating in the FIH Young Ambassadors Programme, joined by IOC Member Kim Bui, the Forum provided an important platform for open dialogue on issues that directly affect athletes, both during and beyond their sporting careers.
The agenda focused on four key areas: the vision of the FIH Athletes’ Committee, the IOC Athlete365 platform, mental health and career transition.
The Forum featured a strong and diverse panel of voices from across the hockey and Olympic movements including Camila Caram and PR Sreejesh, Co-Chairs of the FIH Athletes’ Committee, Kim Bui, IOC Member and Member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, Irene Presenqui, international umpire and FIH Umpire of the Year 2025, FIH Athletes’ Committee members Andrew Charter, Catherine Thaggard-Fabiano, Jacqueline Mwangi, Mohamed Meaand Cesar Garcia, and hockey Olympian Hugo Inglis, winner of the IOC Climate Action Award 2025.
The discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that athletes are not only represented but genuinely heard and empowered to contribute to decisions shaping the future of their sport. Particular attention was given to supporting athletes’ mental wellbeing, helping them prepare for life after sport and ensuring that younger generations are equipped to take an active role in decision-making.
The Forum concluded with an impactful address from FIH President Tayyab Ikram, who underlined his personal commitment to putting athletes at the heart of FIH’s work.
He identified mental health and athlete welfare as top priorities requiring decisive action across the sport: “Mental health and athlete welfare are the main items on our agenda for athletes now. We need to take a serious step about it, in everything we do.”
The FIH President also stressed the importance of strengthening athlete structures throughout the hockey family, from FIH to Continental Federations and National Associations: “We need to do much more for athletes. At continental and national level, we need to create forums where athletes can express their voice. One of the resolutions must be to reach out to all National Associations and put structures in place for athletes.”
Looking to the future, President Ikram placed particular emphasis on empowering the next generation: “The young generation is building expectations. Current and former athletes have a responsibility to look into that. We owe it to the next generations of athletes. We need to empower our young generation for decision-making. We need to do more and act fast.”
The inaugural FIH Athletes Forum marks an important step in FIH’s commitment to strengthening athlete representation and ensuring that athletes’ experiences, perspectives and aspirations are integral to the development of hockey.
President Ikram added: “I am so happy that FIH supported my initiative to organise its first-ever Athletes Forum. Having travelled a long journey as an athlete myself and faced many challenges, I know what it takes to perform as an athlete. This puts me in a position to serve athletes and facilitate them.”
With athletes at the centre of the game, the Forum provided not only a space to listen, but a platform to build a stronger, more inclusive and athlete-focused future for hockey.
