ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is hopeful it will able to rope in international players for a glitzy league in April next year.

“The other day Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal issued the No Objection Certificate for holding the Pakistan Hockey League (PHL) in Pakistan and we are keen on holding this mega event in style,” PHF secretary Shahbaz Ahmed said on Friday.

“The PHL will not only go a long way in promoting hockey in the country but will also enhance the image of the country.”

The event will be held in four cities namely Lahore, Gojra, Faisalabad and Karachi with five to six teams, each having four international players.

“I will use my personal contacts as well to convince star players to participate in the event,” Shahbaz informed.

He added that Rs250 million would be spent on the league but the PHF wouldn’t need government funding.

“We have planned the event which will generate funds itself and nothing will be required from the government.”

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2017