Lahore to host SNGPL U-18 Hockey from 27th June
Total six teams will participate in the Under-18 hockey tournament from June 27 at National Hockey Stadium, Lahore.
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in collaboration with the Dar Hockey Academy is organizing Under-18 hockey tournament at National Hockey Stadium here from June 27.
Apart from the local teams, SNGPL Under-18 Hockey Tournament features sides from some of Pakistan’s premier hockey nurseries such as Gojra and Bannu. World Cup Winner and Olympian Danish Kaleem is tournament’s organizing secretary.
Following are the participating teams are
1. Bannu
2. Gojra
3. Kasur
4. Manga Mandi
5. Lahore A
6. Lahore B.
World Cup Winner and former hockey Olympian Danish Kaleem, who is also the head coach of the Dar HA, is tournament’s organizing secretary.
“The tournament aims at unearthing new hockey talent,” he said. He further added that the participation of U-18 hockey players in the competition will help in shortlisting the most promising players who will be imparted training to become quality players in due course of time for their induction in the national junior teams.
“There is no short cut to strengthen the base of the game but to groom U-18 players in phases and it is the only way to lift hockey out of present gloom,” he added.
Danish said greater efforts are needed to revive the game at grass root level as hockey is at its lowest ebb. “There is dire need to organize U18 hockey tournaments to motivate the youth to take up hockey as a sort and such activities should continue round the year to provide ample playing opportunity to the young player,” he asserted.
