Pakistan Hockey Federation launches nationwide talent hunt

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced the launch of a nationwide ‘National Under-15 School Hockey Championship and Talent Hunt Program’. The initiative aims to promote hockey at the school level, identify talented boys and girls across the country, and establish a structured pathway from school sports to the national team.

Scheduled for January 2027, regional championships will be held in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. These events will be organized in collaboration with sports departments, education departments, and local administrations. Top teams from these regions will qualify for a national competition in Islamabad in February 2027.

PHF selectors and coaches will evaluate players on technical skills and fitness to create a national database. The program intends to establish a ‘national talent pool’ to select the Pakistan Under-15 boys and girls teams, with other standout players being kept in reserve for future development.