LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation is once again looking forward to host its franchise-based league after failing to do it despite plans last year.

The federation released the calendar for hockey activities in 2020 on Tuesday with the Pakistan Hockey Super League slated to be held in October.

The PHSL’s inaugural edition was to be held last year, but with the PHF’s reputation marred with allegations of corruption and political turmoil in the body, it was inevitable to get cancelled.

However, if the PHF successfully conducts the league this year, it would help the federation regain some of its lost credibility and financial stength.

The PHF’s 2020 calendar also confirmed the national team will not feature in any world-level tournament this year. The men’s national side will take part in the Asian Championships set to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh in November.

Pakistan will also feature in the Azlan Shah Cup, Junior Asian Championship and the Women’s Junior championship this year.

The domestic calendar, along with the PSL, features the national championships for both men and women and 11 all-Pakistan tournaments will also be organised.

A good number of 20 tournaments for different age groups are also scheduled for 2020.

The calendar year will start with the sixth National Junior Women’s Championship carded for Lahore in the month of February.

Schedule:

International:

April 6-12: Women’s Junior Asia Cup (Japan).

April 11-18: 29th Azlan Shah Cup (Ipoh, Malaysia).

June 4-13: Men’s Junior Asia Cup (Dhaka).

Nov 17-27: Men’s Asian Championship (Dhaka).

Domestic:

February: 6th Women’s National Junior Championship (Lahore).

February: 5th Tray Championship, organised by Mari Petroleum (Rawalpindi).

May/June: 2nd Ramazan 5-a-Side Hockey League (Lahore).

August-Sept: 31st National Women’s Championship (Lahore).

Sept 5-16: 37th National Junior Hockey Championship.

Sept 20-30: 66th National Senior Championship.

October: 1st Pakistan Hockey Super League (PHSL).

June-July: Inter-Club Hockey Championship

June-July: Inter-School Hockey Championship

All Pakistan SONA CUP Hockey Tournament (TBD).

May: Chief Minister Gold Cup (Quetta).

Atta Ullah Jan Memorial Tournament (Attock) (TBD).

Brig. A. Hamid Gold Cup (Peshawar) (TBD).

May: Governor’s Gold Cup (Karachi).

May: 7th Quaid-e-Azam Gold Cup – Pakistan Customs Karachi (TBD).

May: NBP Gold Cup.

June: President Gold Cup (Sukkur).

18-25 June: 3rd Chief of Naval Staff Cup (Karachi).

Brig M.H. Atif Memorial Tournament (Sargodha).

Nov 25-Dec 4: Chief of Army Staff Cup (Rawalpindi).

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2020