Innovative PHF prepares hockey calendar

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has planned events for 2016, adding many new domestic events at various levels to popularise the national game.

Director development Naveed Alam told ‘The News’ that after hectic efforts the calendar has been finalised and PHF’s chiefs have approved it.

Sources said that besides the senior national and junior teams’ international assignments, the details of all domestic events are also part of the calendar.

Hockey-5, the most innovative format, is being introduced in domestic competitions. It may be be organised during Ramadan under floodlights in Lahore.

A hockey-5 event will also be organised in Karachi. The PHF is also keen to organise nine-a-side event.

There will be competitions among schools, colleges and clubs. There will be regional inter-club and provincial inter-club leagues.

The PHF will also hold CM inter-club championship and PM inter-club championship.

The PHF is seeking to strengthen the national game at the grassroots level and encouraging youngsters to participate in hockey events. It will organise under-16 events, including under-16 summer camp, under-16 talent hunt and under-16 champions league.

The PHF will particularly pay attention to school level hockey so that boys start playing hockey at an early age and their talent can easily be identified. School events will be organised by PHF at regional, provincial and national level.

The PHF will also send under-18 and under-21 teams to participate in international events, including Boys Under-18 Asia Cup in Muscat.

Officials claimed that it was one of the most detailed and comprehensive calendar ever prepared by PHF.

The Pakistan Supper League (PSL) is also part of the calendar, besides several women hockey events.

Pakistan will participate in Women’s AFC Cup in Bangkok, Women Asian Championship and Girls Under-18 Asia Cup in Colombo.

To commemorate the services of Ustad Aslam Roda, a memorial tournament will be organised in his name in Gojra.