ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), dismayed by a cold-shouldered response from the government, has decided to postpone the first-ever Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) which was scheduled to be launched in November.

As per the initial plans, around two dozen foreign players were expected to take part in the high-profile hockey league which was envisaged on the lines of cricket’s cash rich Pakistan Super League.

The major hurdle in launching the hockey league was the non-issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Punjab Government for which the PHF had applied well before time but failed to receive it despite the passage of a few months.

“We have decided to postpone the PHL after failing to get any response from the government,” a much disappointed PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior told Dawn on Tuesday while referring to the non-issuance of NOC by the government.

Six franchises were to vie for honours in the hockey league matches a majority of which were to be held in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gojra with each side having participation of three foreign players.

However, the delays and non-issuance of NOC notwithstanding, there still appear a ray of hope for the PHF who is now planning to hold the league in April next year.

“Our home work is complete and if the government gives permission, we could easily hold the event with the same enthusiasm in April next year,” maintained the PHF secretary.

Talking about the response of the foreign players, the former Olympian said that Pakistan enjoyed a rich history in the game of hockey due to which many foreign players were interested in coming to Pakistan for the league.

“We are in touch with almost 35 foreign players,” he said while stating that several top stars were keen to visit Pakistan and regulalry contacted the PHF about the expected launch of the league.

“We ruled the world of hockey for decades. So, of course, foreign players want to come here,” said Shahbaz, adding that the development and growth of young players relied on success of the league.

“Youth could not be attracted towards the national game without giving decent financial benefits to players,” he further said.

“Whenever it is held, the league will definitely give a boost to our players who will have the opportunity to play alongside the foreign players on the home soil apart from getting lucrative financial benefits,” maintained the PHF secretary.

Published in Dawn October 5th, 2016