ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) will set up a hockey academy at the Sports Complex Islamabad next year to help young players hone their skills in the federal capital, said Punjab Hockey Association secretary and former Olympian Rana Mujahid on Tuesday.

Addressing a news conference here at the National Press Club, Rana said that there were several hockey clubs in the federal capital and the launch of the academy would help youngsters in bringing them at par with other talented players.

“Presently, there are 18 hockey academies in the country which have produced some really good players,” Rana said.

“There are some seven or eight players in the national junior team who were trained in various national academies. While two players — Tauseef and Rizwan — who got training in these academies have become Olympians.”

Rana, who is also head coach of the junior team, said after a long period Pakistan’s junior team had started producing good results.—APP