LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), which has been trying to launch a franchise league since the last six years, finally closed in on its execution with the selection of a few consultants on Thursday.

In a ceremony held at a local hotel here, the PHF earmarked October-November this year as the tentative dates for the league, which will be held in Lahore and will involve five city-based teams.

In February 2016, the PHF chalked up the plan to organise the league in but on many occasions the plan was shelved due to different reasons.

“This hockey league is our first step in reviving the sport to regain the lost glory of our golden hockey days and I am confident that working with a professional corporate team in place, PHF is now heading in the right direction,” PHF president Khalid Sajjad Khokhar said.

The body’s secretary Asif Bajwa believed the league will “serve as a platform to develop local players into future stars as they play alongside top international players.”

Bajwa said players from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Korea, Japan and Argentina will feature in the tournament.

Pakistan captain Umar Bhutta and vice-captain Emmad Shakil also attended the function.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2022