National U16 Hockey Championship begins today


Teams from Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir had not turned up so far, Organizing Secretary and Secretary Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Hockey Association Syed Zahir Shah told APP soon after attending a meeting of team managers, umpires and technical officials at the Qayyum Sports Complex.

He said all other teams had reached Peshawar. He said the championship was shifted from Lahore to the city due to fear of dengue virus.

“We are happy to organize the event with the support and guidance of President of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association Captain Tariq Hayat and Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Muhammad Saeed Khan,”Zahir Shah added.

It may be mentioned that the championship was scheduled to be held on October 1 in Lahore but due to dengue virus it was shifted to Peshawar.

He said that the Pakistan Hockey Federation has nominated former international hockey player Rana Liaqat as Tournament Director and international technical officials Faiz Muhammad Faizi as umpire manager for the Championship.

A total of 10 umpires also nominated by PHF out of eight have so far reported.

He also appreciated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah for supporting the association as far as preparation at ground is concerned besides order of displaying banners and bill boards welcoming the team.

He said  they have given final touches and all available resources would be utilized to facilitate the players and officials.

He said different committees would be constituted for the smooth sailing of the Championship. He said foolproof security measures have been taken in and around the Stadium. Zahir Shah said that a total of four matches would be played  daily with all the teams have been divided into two groups – six teams in each group.

In group-A comprising Punjab-A, Sindh-B, KP-B, Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab-C
and Balochistan while in group-B team including Islamabad, Sindh-A, Punjab-B, AJK, KP-A and FATA. Only slide changes would be made if Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad  Jammu and Kashmir not turn-up in-time by Tuesday morning.

Matches Schedule:
The first match between Punjab-B vs Sindh-A will be played at 9.00 a.m, followed by Punjab-A and Punjab-C at 11.00 a.m, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-B will face Balochistan at 1.00 p.m and Islamabad to clash against KP-A at 3.00 p.m.