MUZAFFARABAD: The hockey players of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) will get their first chance to play on the synthetic turf when the AJK Hockey Championship begins in Rawalakot from Monday.

Unveiling the details at a media briefing on Friday, secretary of AJK Hockey Association Farooq Ashraf Awan said that Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior would inaugurate the tournament, which would be participated by eight teams from seven of the 10 AJK districts with host Poonch district entering two teams.

The five-day event would be played on robin-round basis. The final in June 3 will be graced by AJK president Sardar Yaqoob Khan as the chief guest.

Awan, who himself is a grade-I national hockey umpire, said the Astroturf would promote not only promote hockey but also raise the standard of national sport in the AJK.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2016