LAHORE: Six teams will take part in the first Five-a-side Hockey League, to be organised by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).

The event will be held under floodlights at the National Hockey Stadium here from June 18 to 25.

The OGDCL has granted Rs10 million to the PHF to organise the league.

Tournament director Tahir Zaman, while briefing media, said the FIH had given approval for new rules formed for the league.

He said stadium’s length will be reduced to 50 yards and width will be shortened to 10 yards to make fast hockey possible.

He said the game would continue even if the ball returns after hitting signboards as it would generate fast tempo in the match.

Tahir added that teams from Islamabad Fighters, Quetta Warriors, Faisalabad Express, Karachi Shark, Lahore Lions and Peshawar Panthers are participating in the event.

The winners will receive Rs700,000, runners-up Rs500,000, third position holder Rs400,000, 4th placed Rs300,000, fifth placed Rs200,000 and the last team will get Rs100,000.

During the question and answer session, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Shahbaz Ahmed said the idea of Five-a-side League hockey was being introduced to make the game popular among the masses with its fast pace. Shahbaz said they would be spending about Rs6 to 7 million on the league.

Every player will get match fee besides having his share in the prize money.

Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2016