ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Wednesday said it was waiting for NOC from the Punjab government to host the country’s franchise-based professional league scheduled to be staged in November.

Talking to APP, a PHF official said more than 30 international players were likely to feature in the league.

“Players from five to ten countries will be participating in the league. These countries include Argentina, Germany, New Zealand and Australia,” the official said.

“The event will be staged in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gojra. Presently, we are awaiting the permission (NOC) from the Punjab government; for which we had written a letter to them.

“We require NOC in order to invite foreign players here,” he said.

“We are making all-out efforts to launch our first league before the end of this year and in this regard we are making contacts with players of different hockey-playing nations.”

Besides providing financial support, the league would prove a landmark in helping Pakistan regain the glory of its national game, the official added.

Published in Dawn September 8th, 2016