FIH President Tayyab Ikram has taken another significant step forward in FIH’s sustainability efforts by launching Phase 2 of the "Give Back to Forest" initiative in China. The FIH President, during his recent visit to Molidawa Daur Autonomous Banner, known as the birthplace of Chinese hockey, marked this milestone with a ceremony that included team captains, Chinese authorities, the Chinese Hockey Association, and tournament officials.
In his address, President Ikram reinforced the importance of the initiative, which aims to plant one million trees in countries with a deep connection to hockey. He emphasized that the "Give Back to Forest" project is not just about reforestation but about honoring the sport’s heritage by giving back to the environment that has supported hockey for centuries.
“In our sport, we used sticks made out of wood. We make millions of sticks across the globe, but we never thought of giving back by planting trees. This initiative, born from the FIH President’s vision, seeks to reverse that. We are thrilled to relaunch Phase 2 in Molidawa, a place with a rich hockey tradition,” President Ikram said during the ceremony.
The initiative, already active in many hockey National Associations, has garnered global recognition, with FIH recently being shortlisted for the prestigious IOC Climate Action Award 2024. The FIH "Give Back to Forest" initiative has become a cornerstone of the Federation’s environmental strategy, contributing to the global efforts for climate preservation.
President Ikram urged Chinese authorities and the hockey community to embrace the initiative further, stating: “We must adopt the forest. We must preserve our climate and take good care of it. The world is watching, and hockey can lead the way in global sustainability.”
Phase 2 of "Give Back to Forest" in China signifies a renewed emphasis on environmental responsibility, aligning with FIH's broader mission of promoting sustainability in hockey worldwide.
