A big decision has been made to organize the Pakistan Super Hockey League on the cricket model to promote the national game of hockey.  According to the details, a big decision has been made to organize the Pakistan Super Hockey League on the cricket model to promote the national game of hockey in the country, which is credited to the Sindh Hockey Association.  

In this regard, the Sindh Hockey Association in an exclusive interview with INP, AHSA President Ahsan Ahmed Jatoi said that it was his dream to revive hockey, under which a major decision has been made to organize the Pakistan Super Hockey League like the Pakistan Super League of cricket. He said the first Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Pakistan Super Hockey League will be played in Karachi, which is expected in October or November, adding President Asif Ali Zardari has released a special grant of Rs. 500 million.

 He said this international league will be played under floodlights at the Abdul Sattar Edhi Hockey Stadium in Karachi, in which five teams, including Karachi Tigers, Lahore Lions, KP Kings, Baloch Titans and Islamabad Panthers, will participate. All matches will be played on a single league basis.  Ahsan Ahmed Jatoi said the top two teams will play the final. Two matches will be played daily. Each team will have four international players. He said each team will have one emerging player. This league will be based on FIH rules. The age limit for players will be thirty years.  

He said that the total amount paid to locals and foreigners will be Rs. 120 million and each local player will get Rs. 25 lakh. He said nowadays hockey players do not even have a motorcycle and we will give them Rs. 25 lakh and they will be accommodated in a five-star hotel. The total prize money of the league will be Rs. 52 million.  Ahsan Ahmed Jatoi said Rs. 20 million has been allocated for the league organizer and officials, Rs. 1 million for the selection panel of five Olympians. The hotel accommodation and food expenses will be Rs. 40 million.  

He said that Rs. 2 million has been allocated for team officials and referees, Rs. 25 lakh for food and refreshments at the ground and Rs. 35 lakh for trophies and shields medals.  He said that Rs. 10 million for security expenses and Rs. A budget of one million rupees has been set aside for drinks for the players on the ground.  To a question, he said that a decision regarding free entry for spectators will be made later after consultation. This hockey league will be broadcast live on TV channels.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)