Current season, competition or edition: 2022 Pakistan Hockey Super League | |
Sport | Field hockey |
---|---|
Founded | 2016 |
First season | 2022 |
Administrator | Pakistan Hockey Federation |
No. of teams | 6 (current) |
Country | Pakistan |
Headquarters | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
Confederation | AHF (Asia) |
TV partner(s) | PTV Sports Ten Sports Geo Super |
Level on pyramid | Level 1 |
Tournament format | Double Round-robin and Playoffs |
Official website | pakhockey.org |
The Pakistan Hockey Super League, or "The Max [1] " also known as PHSL, is an upcoming franchise-based field hockey tournament in Pakistan. It is to be organized by the Pakistan Hockey Federation. [2] Its inaugural edition is slated to be held in 2022.
In February 2016, the Pakistan Hockey Federation initiated preparations for a domestic hockey league, to be played from October to November 2016, according to then Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior. The former Olympian believed development and growth of young Pakistani hockey players would rely on the success of the league, and this would help Pakistan regain its historic aura as a hockey-playing nation. [3]
An autonomous board for the league was established in 2016. PHF President Khalid Sajjad Khokhar mentioned that the League would be sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), adding that the PHF was in touch with the world hockey governing body to avoid any clash with international events. [4] The league was postponed after the government of Punjab refused to give an NOC to host the event in 2016.
In December 2017, it was announced that the PHSL was given an NOC. The inaugural season was slated to begin in April 2018, but was postponed to July 2018 due to the national team's participation in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the forthcoming month of Ramadan. [5]
It was further pushed back to 12 to 19 January 2019. Around a dozen international players (from Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, France, and Argentina) were expected to play, with all matches taking place in Lahore. [6] However, due to a lack of funds, the tournament was postponed to 15 to 25 March 2019. [7] [8] More delays meant that the tournament could not take place for at least the next three years.
On 11 January 2022, the Pakistan Hockey Federation announced that the inaugural edition of the PHSL would take place in 2022. [9]
Six teams have been proposed for the league in its inaugural season. Details suggest a model that closely mimics that of the successful Pakistan Super League, whereby each team would be a franchise. The team names were revealed on 24 December 2018. [10] [11]
Team | City | Province |
---|---|---|
Islamabad United | Islamabad | Islamabad Capital Territory |
Karachi Kings | Karachi | Sindh |
Lahore Qalanders | Lahore | Punjab |
Multan Sultans | Multan | Punjab |
Peshawar Zalmi | Peshawar | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
Quetta Gladiators | Quetta | Balochistan |
International players are eligible to compete in the tournament, with each team able to field two of them in a match. [6] Moreover, an maximum age limit of 25 years for all players is in effect. [12]
The Punjab Stadium is a football stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. It was nicknamed the "Ian Rush Stadium" after the Liverpool striker visited Pakistan to promote grassroots football in the country.
Football is among the most popular team sports in Pakistan, together with long time number one cricket and field hockey. Pakistan's current top domestic football league is the Pakistan Premier League, recognised by the AFC as the official national football league. The PFF National Challenge Cup is a knock-out competition among Pakistani departmental and government institutions. Football in general is run by the Pakistan Football Federation.
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The Pakistan Premier League is a Pakistani semi-professional league for men's football clubs. The top tier of the Pakistan football league system, the PPL operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the PFFL B Division. The league has remained inactive since the end of the 2014–15 season. The 2018–19 season was held in between after three years of inactivity, however it was reportedly not recognised by FIFA and AFC, as it was completed under a non-FIFA recognised body a month before the termination of the event.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation is the governing body for the sport of field hockey in Pakistan. It is affiliated with the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
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