PHF to form four development squads for national championship

KARACHI: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is going to introduce at least four teams in the coming national championship to tap fresh talent and give chances to those players who were not included in the departmental teams, 'The News' has learnt.

The national championship is scheduled to be held in Karachi from April 20 to May 2. All the players, who must be under 23, and their management would be selected by PHF, sources said. PHF wants to make the national championship interesting and tough to make up for the loss that the players have suffered owing to the withdrawal from FIH Pro League, a source said.

The details related to the development squads including the names of the players and their officials would be announced soon, the source added. This year PHF has named the national championship after late Air Marshal Nur Khan. It is expected that the development squads would be named after Pakistan’s hockey legends, the sources said.

Meanwhile, the departmental teams have started their preparation for the championship. Experts say the defending champions NBP are the favourites. WAPDA, SNGPL and SSGC are also strong teams and can give tough time to NBP. These four departments have the services of many players who have represented Pakistan.

PIA is trying to induct some young players so that they could give resistance to the rival teams in the championship. PIA have won the largest number of national titles, but they failed to reach the semi-finals because many of their players were hired by other departments.

The championship matches from April 20-27 would be played at Dr Muhammad Ali Shah-Islahuddin Academy because World Soccer Stars match would be played at Abdul Sattar Edhi stadium on April 27. After that, all matches would be shifted to Edhi stadium.