ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) decided to launch the Schools Hockey League (SHL) across the country during a consultative meeting held here in Islamabad on Tuesday.

According to the PHF, a nationwide competition that will take hockey back into schools and will help promote the game at the grassroots.

The meeting was chaired by PHF president Mohiyuddin Ahmad Wani who is also secretary of the Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the schools and sports departments of the four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Islamabad Capital Territory.

The PHF chief on the occasion called upon the participants to take up the tasks assigned to them for rolling out the SHL as a national duty.

Ehtasham Anwar, the PHF focal person for the SHL, shared the broad outline and main features of the league.

The SHL will operate under the PHF with its own chief executive officer, and will be guided by a steering committee chaired by the PHF president.

It was decided that the tehsil, district and divisional competitions will begin on Nov 15 simultaneously across Pakistan.

The provincial round will be played in January followed by the national round in February.

The league offers young players a clear path to the national teams.

Players of the top three teams will receive monthly stipends of Rs10,000, Rs7,500 and Rs5,000, respectively for one year. The winning team and selected players will go on international tours, while school heads and sports teachers who support the league will be recognised with special awards.

Each year, 100 boys and as many girls will be selected for summer camps offering coaching, fitness training and tutoring.

All provincial departments and federal entities assured the PHF of their full cooperation in making the SHL successful.

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2026