Pakistan Hockey League
The Pakistan Hockey Super League, also known as PHSL, is the top tier of the national field hockey league system in Pakistan, and is run by the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
History
In February 2016, the Pakistan Hockey Federation initiated preparations for a domestic hockey league, to be played through 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 would help Pakistan regain its historic aura as a hockey-playing nation. An autonomous board for the league was established in 2016. PHF President Khalid Sajjad Khokhar also mentioned that the PHL would be sanctioned by the International Hockey Federation, adding that the PHF was in touch with world hockey governing body to avoid any clash with international events. 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 is slated to begin in July 2018.
Teams
Six teams have been proposed for the league in its inaugural season. Divulging details suggest a model that closely mimics that of the successful Pakistan Super League, whereby each time would be a franchise. The Pakistan Hockey Federation has succeeded to approve a grant for the promotion of the hockey league. Khokhar also added that there would be three categories of players – category A, B and C. “Players of category A will be offered around 1.5 million rupees, of B category around one million rupees and that of C category will get around 0.8 million rupees”.Teams | City, Province | Owner | Price | Captain | Head Coach |
Islamabad Vikings | Islamabad, Capital Territory | Malik Riaz | US$ 7 Million | TBA | Tauqeer Dar |
Peshawar Zalmi | Peshawar, Khyber Pakthunkhwa | Javed Afridi | US$ 6 Million | TBA | Mark Hager |
Quetta Defenders | Quetta, Balochistan | Seth Abid | US$ 5 Million | TBA | Rehan Butt |
Faisalabad Spartans | Faisalabad, Punjab | Mian Muhammad Latif | US$ 6 Million | TBA | Roelant Oltmans |
Karachi Kangaroos | Karachi, Sindh | Haider Ali | US$ 10 Million | TBA | Carlos Retegui |
Lahore Badshahs | Lahore, Punjab | Shahid Khan | US$ 8 Million | TBA | Paul van Ass |
Rules and regulations
Six teams took part in the tournament and each team played two matches against each team, one at their home venue and one at the venue of the opposition team.SHL played in a double round-robin format. Every team plays each other twice and the top four advance to the playoffs.
Seasons
Pakistan Hockey Federation finalized that 6 teams to be finalized in 1st edition of Pakistan Hockey League, 30 foreign players will participate. PHF acquired services of former project head of PSL, means Salman Sarwar & Badar Rafai for Pakistan Hockey Super League.Venues
The inaugural edition of Pakistan Hockey Super League will be held in three different cities of Pakistan. Faisalabad, Gojra and Lahore will be host this event. The league matches will be played in Faisalabad Hockey Stadium from Faisalabad, Gojra Hockey Stadium from Gojra and the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore. The final of this tournament will also be held in National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.Broadcasting
Pakistan Hockey Federation said that they were in talks were also in progress for the official broadcasters of the league. The following Pakistani channels will be broadcasting of this league. The foreign channels who will be broadcast this league very soon announced.Country | Years | Channels |
PAK | 2016 – present | PTV Sports Ten Sports Geo Super |