LAHORE, March 28: PIA will launch their campaign to retain the title when they meet Punjab Colours in the 49th national hockey championship which starts at National Hockey Stadium Friday.

Apart from the national airlines, 11 top outfits, including seven departmental sides, and two teams each from Sindh and Punjab, will also be seen in action for the coveted title.

The seven departmental teams to take part are, Habib Bank, National Bank, Pakistan Army, Wapda, Allied Bank, PTCL, Police.

It will be 25th national title for national carrier if they win the final to be played April 6.

Pool “A”: Habib Bank, National Bank, Army, Wapda, Punjab Whites, Sindh Whites.

Pool “B”: PIA, Allied Bank, PTCL, Police, Punjab Colours, Sindh Colours.

Schedule:

March 29 (Pool “A”): Army v Punjab Whites 10.30am; NBP v Sindh Whites 2pm; HBL v Wapda 4.15pm.

Pool “B”: PIA v Punjab Colours 9am; ABL v Sindh Colours 1.30am; PTCL vs Police 2pm.

March 30 (Pool “A”): NBP v Punjab Whites 12.10pm; Wapda v Sindh Whites 2pm; HBL v Army 4pm.

Pool “B”: Punjab Colours v Sindh Whites 12.10pm; ABL v Police 2pm; PIA v PTCL 4pm.

March 31 (Pool “A”): HBL v Sindh Whites 12.10pm; Wapda v Punjab Whites 2pm; NBP v Army 4pm.

Pool “B”: PTCL v Sindh Colours 12pm; ABL v Punjab Colours 2pm; PIA v Police 4pm.

April 1: Rest Day.

April 2 (Pool “A”): Army v Sindh Whites 12.10pm; HBL v Punjab Whites 2pm; NBP v Wapda 4pm.

Pool “B”: Police v Punjab Colours 12.10pm; PIA v Sindh Colours 2pm; ABL v PTCL 4pm.

April 3 (Pool “A”): Sindh Whites v Punjab Whites 12.10; Wapda v Army 2pm; HBL v NBP 4pm; Police v Sindh Colours 12.10pm; PTCL v Punjab Colours 2pm; PIA v ABL 4pm.

April 4: Rest Day.

April 5: Semifinals (Winners of Pool “A” v Runners-up of Pool “B” at 1.30pm; Winners of Pool “B” v Runners-up Pool “A” 3.30pm.

April 6: Third position match at 9am.

Final at 3.30pm.