ISLAMABAD The first women's hockey academy of Pakistan was launched in the capital after President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Qasim Zia inaugurated it on Friday.

A group of 30 players have been inducted as the first batch of the PHF Women's Hockey Academy under the women's wing but the federation expects the number to increase in the coming months, a private TV channel reported.

Olympian Zahid Sharif will coach the players at the academy along with staff from the women's wing.

Players over the age of 18 will be eligible to attend the academy.