The 3rd PHF Junior Super Hockey League begins today
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is to commence the 3rd PHF Junior Under-18 Super Hockey League today, on April 27, in the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.
During a press conference, PHF’s Secretary General, Mohammad Asif Bajwa, was accompanied by the tournament's director, Rana Mujahid. Bajwa informed that the event carries a total cash prize of PKR 1.5 million. Moreover, a total number
of eight teams will participate in the event that will be played under the league format.
The eight teams to play the league consist of PHF Academy, Multan, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, Faisalabad, Quetta and Sialkot.
Bajwa shared that the federation is with the objective to develop the sport among the youth and this can be done by offering activities right from the basis.
“This league is going to be a step forward to unearth fresh hockey talent to continue our quest for securing the future of the game by having a reservoir of talented players,” he added.
Mujahid, who also acts as the team manager for Pakistan’s Junior national team, informed that Pakistan would play in Junior Asia Cup from June 27, being held in Singapore where the team will defend their title.
“We are confident to retain the title and to qualify for next year’s Junior World Cup which is our main target,” he added.
Mujahid expressed his gratitude towards the PHF for reviving the sport and also appealed for more of such junior level activities, elsewhere in the country.
He regarded the league as a platform for the rising hockey talent within the country and was confident about Pakistan hockey’s future.
Mujahid explained that the league includes cash prizes worth PKR 600,000 for the winners, PKR 400,000 for the runner's-up followed by PKR 300,000 that will be awarded to the team at third position. Moreover, a total of PKR 200,000 will
be distributed among the individual players of the league.
Further ahead, Bajwa added that the top performers from the league will be picked out and sent into the training camp that is to be commenced in Karachi from May 12 and will follow the final trials on May24-25, declaring the final squad.
When asked, Bajwa informed that the preparation of the Senior men hockey team for the 2012 London Olympics will speed up by the end of this year. The team will play about 40-50 matches in Asia, Europe and Australia against the world’s
top most hockey teams.
In other developments, the PHF Secretary General told yesterday that he was optimistic about the fact that soon this year the International hockey events will be held in Pakistan’s home ground.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) regards the PHF’s effort for the revival and extended its hands for the cause.
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