Breaking Barriers: Pakistan Men’s Team Crowned Champions at LATAM Cup 2025

Team Pakistan celebrates on the ice after capturing the gold medal at the 2025 Amerigol LATAM Cup in Coral Springs, Fla. at the Florida Panthers IceDen.

“Pakistan Zindabad,” the crowd roars as Pakistan’s national men’s ice hockey team delivered a stunning 6–1 victory over Peru to claim their first-ever LATAM Cup Division III gold medal. Just six days after Independence Day, the win marks a defining moment for a program that has been steadily carving out its place on the international stage despite limited resources and opportunities at home.

Pakistan’s men dominated the tournament from the start, overwhelming opponents with speed, skill, and cohesion. In their first matchup against Peru earlier in the tournament week, tensions flared when a Peruvian player checked Colton Khan, Pakistan’s 15-year-old goalie. Captain Zaakir Khan immediately came to his teammate’s defense, sparking a physical altercation that saw both players ejected. The incident underscored the squad’s tight-knit bond and determination to protect one another.

Team Pakistan celebrates their gold medal win, raising the flag high after the 2025 Amerigol LATAM Cup final.

Their unity carried through to the championship game on August 20. Fueled by national pride so close to Independence Day, Pakistan dismantled Peru’s defense, controlling the puck and capitalizing on every scoring chance. Tournament standouts Bilal Telemaque, Tariq Khan, and Trystan Mughal — who led their entire division in points — delivered commendable performances, ensuring the title came home.

After the final buzzer, a TikTok video of the team’s celebrations circulated widely online. While many applauded their historic win, some commenters posted rude and racist remarks about the team’s origins. Rather than be discouraged, the players embraced the moment, using the criticism as motivation and proudly representing Pakistan on the global stage.

This gold medal isn’t just a trophy, it’s a signal that Pakistan Ice Hockey is on the rise. With their impressive run, the men’s team has positioned itself for bigger opportunities and stronger competition ahead. Both the men’s and women’s squads are already preparing for the Dream Nations Cup in New Jersey this upcoming May, and conversations about launching a youth program hint at even bigger things to come.

For a country without a single full-sized rink, this victory shows what passion, community, and determination can achieve. Team Pakistan’s journey is far from over — they’ve only just begun to add to hockey history.