LAHORE, Dec 2: NBP U-20 hockey championship will be played at Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium, Karachi from Jan 15 to 25.

A Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) spokesman said on Tuesday that the championship was important and would help in selecting a strong team for the Junior Asia Cup which was also qualifying round for the Junior World Cup, 2004.

Players under the age of 20 as on Jan 1, 2004 duly registered with their district/provincial association will be eligible to participate, the spokesman said.

He said the NWFP and Balochistan will send two teams each while Punjab and Sindh three each after holding inter-district championships.

Besides the 10 provincial teams, one team each from Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will also take part in the championships.

The spokesman said the departments are also invited with instructions to confirm their participation by Dec 20.

Sindh Hockey Association will organize the championship.