Pakistan Hockey Federation facts for kids
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| Sport | Field hockey |
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| Jurisdiction | Pakistan |
| Membership | 8 |
| Abbreviation | PHF |
| Founded | August 2, 1948 |
| Affiliation | International Hockey Federation |
| Regional affiliation | Asian Hockey Federation |
| Headquarters | Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Location | National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore 54600 |
| President | Vacant |
| Secretary | Vacant |
| Official website | |
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The Pakistan Hockey Federation (Urdu: پاکستان ہاکی فیڈریشن) is the main organization that manages the sport of field hockey in Pakistan. It works closely with the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF). The PHF helps organize hockey games, train players, and support Pakistan's national hockey teams.
Contents
Who Runs the Pakistan Hockey Federation?
The PHF has important leaders who help run everything. These leaders include a President and a Secretary. They work with other board members to make decisions about hockey in Pakistan. For example, they decide how to support players and organize tournaments.
The History of Hockey in Pakistan
How Field Hockey Started in Pakistan
Field hockey came to the areas that are now Pakistan during the time of British rule. Just like cricket, it quickly became a very popular sport. The Pakistan Hockey Federation was officially created in 1948. This was right after Pakistan became an independent country in 1947. Before 1947, players from this region played internationally with players from India.
Pakistan's First International Game
Pakistan played its first international hockey game in London on August 2, 1948. They won against Belgium with a score of 2-1 at the 14th Olympic Games. The first president of the PHF was Ghazanfar Ali Khan. The team quickly became very strong in international competitions. This helped more people in Pakistan get interested in the game.
Growing the Federation
For many years, the PHF did not have a full-time office. But in 1971, a proper office was set up at the National Hockey Stadium, Lahore. The time when Air Marshal (Retd) Nur Khan was president, starting in 1978, was a "golden age" for Pakistani hockey. During this time, Pakistan's senior, junior, and women's hockey teams all played well internationally. Air Marshal Nur Khan also helped the International Hockey Federation (FIH) start two major tournaments: the World Cup and the Champions Trophy. These became as important as the Olympics for hockey.
New Challenges for Hockey
In the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, a new type of playing surface was introduced: artificial turf. This meant that international hockey games were no longer played only on grass. Many European teams quickly built artificial turf pitches. However, Pakistan was not able to build as many. This made it harder for the national team to keep up with other countries, and their strength in the sport slowly started to decline.
Pakistan Hockey Super League
Starting a New League
In February 2016, the Pakistan Hockey Federation began planning a new domestic hockey league. This league was meant to help young Pakistani hockey players develop their skills. The idea was that a successful league would help Pakistan become a top hockey nation again.
Plans and Postponements
An independent board was set up for the league in 2016. The PHF President at the time, Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, said that the International Hockey Federation (FIH) would approve the league. He also mentioned that the PHF was working with the FIH to make sure the league's schedule did not conflict with other international events. However, the league was postponed in 2016 because the government of Punjab did not give permission to host the event.
The League Begins
In December 2017, it was announced that the Pakistan Hockey Super League - The Max had finally received approval. The first season was planned to start in April 2018. However, it was moved to July 2018 because the national team was playing in the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Finally, on January 11, 2022, the Pakistan Hockey Federation officially launched the Pakistan Hockey Super League "THE MAX".
Hockey Associations in Pakistan
The Pakistan Hockey Federation works with many smaller hockey associations across the country. These associations help organize hockey at the local level. They include:
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir Hockey Association
- Balochistan Hockey Association
- Gilgit-Baltistan Hockey Association
- Islamabad Hockey Association
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Hockey Association
- Punjab Hockey Association
- Sindh Hockey Association
See also
- Pakistan Hockey League
- International Tournaments (field hockey)
