ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP):The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in collaboration with Provincial Sports Departments, School Education Departments, the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), and all Provincial Educational Boards, has announced the launch of a nationwide "National Under-15 School Hockey Championship and Talent Hunt Programme." The primary objective of this program is to promote hockey at the school level, identify talented boys and girls across the country, develop a broad national …
National U15 School Hockey C’ship, Talent Hunt Prog announced
ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP):The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), in collaboration with Provincial Sports Departments, School Education Departments, the Inter-Board Committee of Chairmen (IBCC), and all Provincial Educational Boards, has announced the launch of a nationwide “National Under-15 School Hockey Championship and Talent Hunt Programme.”
The primary objective of this program is to promote hockey at the school level, identify talented boys and girls across the country, develop a broad national talent pool, and establish a structured pathway from school hockey to the national team, said a press release.
During January 2027, Under-15 School Hockey Championships will be organized across Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These competitions will be conducted by the respective sports departments in coordination with education departments, IBCC, educational boards, and local administrations. Schools will be encouraged to participate at the district and divisional levels to bring grassroots talent to the forefront.
Following the conclusion of the January championships, qualification for the national tournament in Islamabad will be structured as follows- Punjab: Top 4 teams; Sindh: Top 4 teams; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Top 4 teams; Balochistan: Top 4 teams; Gilgit-Baltistan: Top 2 teams.
Azad Jammu & Kashmir: Top 2 teams
An identical qualification process will be implemented for both boys and girls.
All selected regional teams will assemble in Islamabad in February 2027. PHF selectors and qualified coaches will thoroughly evaluate the players’ technical skills, fitness, and overall performance to build a comprehensive national database.
The top three finishing teams in the National Championship will be awarded trophies, medals, and development support. Additionally, special individual awards will be announced for Best Player, Best Goalkeeper, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, and Best Forward.
At the conclusion of the tournament, a broad “National Talent Pool” comprising top-performing boys and girls from across the country will be established, ensuring selection is not restricted solely to winning teams.
From this talent pool, the following teams will be selected: Pakistan Under-15 Boys Team, Pakistan Under-15 Girls Team.
Remaining players will be retained in reserve for future national opportunities.
Program Schedule- January 2027: Provincial and regional school championships and talent identification.
February 2027: National Under-15 School Hockey Championship in Islamabad.
March 2027: Informational and specialized training camps for the national talent pool.
April 2027: High-performance development camps.
May 2027: Final preparation and squad consolidation for the Pakistan Under-15 (Boys and Girls) teams.
A spokesperson for the Pakistan Hockey Federation stated that the objective of this initiative is not merely to organize a temporary tournament, but to make schools the fundamental bedrock of Pakistan hockey. Inshallah, this step will lay the foundation for a sustainable and transparent hockey system in the country.
