KARACHI, Jan 25: Star-studded PIA will have to be at their best to retain the title against youthful oppositions when the 50th golden jubilee national hockey championship pushes off on Sunday.

Not only will PIA be depending on rich experience, but sides like Allied Bank, National Bank, and Customs fielding former Olympians and internationals will also face stiff challenge from the youthful rivals.

It will be a contest between experience and youth if the national airlines, having Shahbaz Ahmad, Ahmad Alam, Kamran Ashraf in their ranks, meet formidable Wapda now having the services of penalty corner specialist Sohail Abbas.

Also interesting for the followers will be the presence of two top goalkeepers of the country in the two outfits. PIA will be having veteran Ahmad, while Pakistan reserve custodian Mohammad Qasim represents Wapda.

PIA’s recent defeat in the departmental qualifying round against Wapda shows that the national carriers are not invincible.

While some may term the victories by PIA in the last two editions as a psychological advantage, it will also put them under pressure to defend the coveted title.

But it is not only Wapda who pose danger to PIA as other younger and experienced sides like Habib Bank and PTCL are also likely to give the champions a testing time.

The 18-team hockey championship, the premier event of the country which has gained more significance being the 50th edition, will also provide few discarded but skillful youngsters to display their prowess to get selectors’ nod.

The 12-day hockey gala, being organized at UBL Sports Complex, will also give the selectors a chance to test the overlooked players for raising a strong national squad for the forthcoming international assignments, especially the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The contest will clear the picture and give an idea to the selectors whether they need ageing veterans in the national side or promising youths to meet the challenges of the future.

The championship begins with the opener between Gujranwala and Police at 8.00am, to be followed by three more matches.

Pool “A”: PIA, PTCL, Karachi ‘A’, Peshawar

Pool “B”: ABL, Wapda, Faisalabad, Multan

Pool “C”: NBP, Police, Customs, Islamabad, Gujranwala

Pool “D”: HBL, Pakistan Army, Rawalpindi, Karachi `B’, Sargodha

Schedule:

Jan 26: Gujranwala v Police at 8.00am; Faisalabad v Multan at 10.00am; Rawalpindi v Sargodha at 12.00pm; Karachi `A’ v PTCL at 2.30pm

Jan 27: Army v Sargodha at 8.00am; Customs v Gujranwala at 10.00am; Police v Islamabad at 12.00pm; HBL v Rawalpindi at 2.00pm; Karachi `A’ v Peshawar at 4.00pm

Jan 28: Wapda v Multan at 10.00am; PTCL v Peshawar at 12.00pm; Gujranwala v NBP at 2.00pm; Faisalabad v ABL at 4.00pm

Jan 29: ABL v Multan at 8.00am; Army v Rawalpindi at 10.00am; Islamabad v Customs at 12.00pm; Faisalabad v Wapda at 2.00pm; Karachi `B’ v Sargodha at 4.00pm

Jan 30: PIA v Peshawar at 10.00am; Islamabad v NBP at 12.00am; HBL v Sargodha at 2.00pm; Rawalpindi v Karachi `B’ at 4.00pm

Jan 31: Islamabad v Gujranwala at 9.00am; PTCL v PIA at 11.00am; HBL v Army at 2.30pm; NBP v Police 4.00pm

Feb 1: Karachi `B’ v Army at 2.00pm; Police v Customs at 4.00pm

Feb 2: HBL v Karachi `B’ at 10.00am; PIA v Karachi `A’ at 12.00pm; ABL v Wapda at 2.00pm; NBP v Customs at 4.00pm

Jan 3: Quarterfinals (winners of pool A v runners-up of pool B at 10.00am; winners of pool B v runners-up of pool A at 12.00pm; winners of pool C v runners-up of pool D at 2.00pm; winners of pool D v runners-up of pool C at 4.00pm)

Jan 4: Rest day

Jan 5: Semifinals (winners of pool E v winners of pool F at 12.30pm; winners of pool G v winners of pool H at 3.00pm)

Jan 6: Third place playoff at 10.00am; Final at 2.30pm