ISLAMABAD: In a major move aimed at reviving domestic hockey and making the sport financially attractive for young players, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has earmarked a handsome Rs28 million in prize money for the winners of the National Championships, marking the first time such a substantial cash incentive has been introduced in the country’s domestic hockey structure.
The initiative is part of an ambitious plan by the PHF to transform the national championship into a major competitive platform, with separate senior, junior and Under-15 events scheduled to be held in January 2027. PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani told The News that the federation, in collaboration with provincial sports boards and associations, would organise grand national championships across different age categories to provide players with greater opportunities to compete, earn recognition and pursue hockey as a profession.
“The Nationals will be held in senior, junior and Under-15 categories in January 2027. We are putting Rs28 million in prize money on the table for the winners, a substantive incentive for our players to perform, compete and excel,” Wani said.
He termed the prize-money initiative a landmark step for Pakistan hockey, arguing that medals and trophies alone were no longer sufficient to motivate players at a time when athletes needed financial security to remain committed to the sport. “This is the first time that such an incentive has been introduced. Mere medals would not be enough. Players need cash incentives to make hockey a profession,” the PHF president said.
He added that the federation intended to further expand the incentive package in the coming years in an effort to encourage youngsters to devote themselves fully to hockey. “In days to come, we will further enhance the incentive package, which would help youngsters put in their best efforts and compete at the highest level,” he added.
Under the new competition structure, the National Championships are expected to have a much broader representation from across the country. Teams from all provinces will be invited to participate, with up to four teams from each province forming part of the expanded championship.
In addition, two teams each from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) will be included, while departmental teams will also participate, creating a highly competitive national pool.
Wani said the new format was designed not only to crown national champions but also to provide regular competitive exposure to players from different regions and institutions. “Our new competition structure will bring together up to four teams from each province, two teams each from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as departmental teams,” he said. The PHF chief also placed particular emphasis on the promotion of women’s hockey, saying the federation wanted to create more opportunities for female players and encourage every region with a ready girls’ team to enter the national competition.
“Promoting women’s hockey is one of my priorities. Wherever girls’ teams are ready, they will play,” Wani said. He said the federation’s broader objective was to create a significantly larger talent pool and establish a structured pathway through which promising players could progress from the grassroots level to junior and senior international hockey. “We want a bigger talent pool, stronger regional competition and a clear pathway from Under-15 to Junior and then to the national hockey team,” he added.
Wani also highlighted what he described as a marked increase in hockey activity since he assumed the PHF presidency, saying the federation had sought to revive the game through competitions and programmes at multiple levels.
“The country has seen unprecedented hockey activities at all levels, including junior, senior and women’s hockey. These activities range from grassroots and domestic national competitions to the international level,” he said.
According to the PHF president, sustained activity at the grassroots and domestic levels would be critical to rebuilding Pakistan’s hockey base, which has declined considerably over the years.
He said the federation’s strategy was aimed at widening the talent pool, providing regular competition to players and identifying fresh talent for Pakistan’s national teams. “This will help broaden the base and introduce fresh talent at different levels. Our objective is to ensure that young players get opportunities to compete and develop before stepping up to the national level,” Wani said.
