PHF to award contracts to 20 players after Eid

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will organise performance evaluation test for awarding contract to 20 players of Pakistan senior team after Eid-ul-Azha in Lahore, ‘The News’ learnt on Saturday.

Informed sources said that the national selection committee led by Olympian Manzoor Junior and head coach Olympian Khuwaja Junaid would evaluate the performance of the players for awarding contracts, for which three categories have been formed.

The sources said that Pakistan team management has set criteria for three categories based upon form, fitness and international performance.

The PHF will give Rs50,000 per month for A category, Rs40,000 for B category and Rs30,000 for C category.

The 20 players’ performance after contract would be reviewed by the national selection committee and Pakistan hockey team management, the sources said.

They added that those who performed well in the upcoming international competitions would be promoted, and those who would not perform up to the mark would be demoted.

Meanwhile, sources said that despite PHF’s efforts, Asian teams were unwilling to participate in any tournament in Pakistan before Asian Championship, and Junior Asia Cup 2021. Both events are scheduled to be held in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, Pakistan junior team’s training camp has started in Lahore. The juniors will play a series of practice matches against such teams as NBP, WAPDA, SSGC and Mari Petroleum. The PHF failed to organise matches between Pakistan seniors and juniors.

It was also learnt that Pakistan seniors training camp would be held after Eid-ul-Azha.