2nd Chief of Army Staff National Inter-Club Hockey from Dec 20

 2nd Chief of Army Staff National Inter-Club Hockey from Dec 20

Asher Butt

LAHORE: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has unveiled details of the Second Chief of Army Staff National Inter-Club Hockey Championship, set to commence on December 20th, with an ambitious plan to rejuvenate the national sport.

PHF Secretary and Olympic medalist Rana Mujahid Ali revealed during a press conference that the tournament will feature an unprecedented 800 registered hockey clubs from across the country, marking a significant milestone for Pakistani hockey.

Detailing tournament structure, he  said the championship will unfold in four meticulously planned stages. Starting from District Level from December 20 to January 5, 2025 and will be followed by Divisional and Regional Level from January 8 to 13.

The Provincial Level tournament will start from January 15 to 22 and then the National Level championship will be played from February 3 to 15.

Elaborating on qualification details, Rana stated that ten teams will move up for the national-level matches while the provincial breakdown of qualified teams includes four from Punjab, two each from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while one each from Balochistan, Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Highlights several crucial aspects of the championship, Rana Mujahid Ali emphasized: “The tournament is part of a strategic plan to revive Pakistan's national sport.” He further added that all expenses will be covered by the Pakistan Army with a primary objective is to discover and nurture new talent.

“The championship aims to provide a professional platform for young hockey players,” he believed.

“The PHF expressed profound gratitude to Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir for his unwavering support in organizing the championship. The involvement of the military is seen as a significant boost to sports development in the country,” he maintained.

Olympic medalists Asif Bajwa, National Team Head Coach Tahir Zaman, and Olympian Anjum Saeed were present at the press conference, signaling the high-profile nature of the event and the commitment to elevating Pakistani hockey.

“The PHF remains optimistic that this inter-club championship will be a crucial step in identifying and grooming potential national team players, ultimately restoring Pakistan's historic reputation in international hockey.”

“The first-stage matches will be conducted at the district level, progressing through regional and provincial stages, with the national-level matches scheduled to take place at the National Hockey Stadium. Club registration opens on December 15 and will continue until further notice,” he added.

“The Second Chief of Army Staff National Inter-Club Hockey Championship represents a comprehensive effort to reinvigorate hockey at the grassroots level, providing a structured pathway for emerging talent to shine on a national platform,” he concluded.