Pakistan Schools Hockey League Launched: Monthly Stipends, Foreign Tour and Summer Camps

Pakistan has launched a nationwide Schools Hockey League for school students, offering monthly stipends, specialised training and a foreign tour for the winning team. The league was inaugurated on 13 November 2026 with an exhibition match at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad, where Islamabad Model College for Girls, Tarlai, beat Islamabad Model College for Girls, G-6/1-4, by 2-0. Competitions will begin at tehsil, district and divisional levels on 15 November, with provincial rounds in January 2027 and the national round in February 2027. For young players across the country, it is a rare chance to turn school hockey into a professional path.

How the Schools Hockey League Was Launched

• Opening ceremony: The league was inaugurated with an exhibition match at the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad.
• First result: Islamabad Model College for Girls, Tarlai, defeated Islamabad Model College for Girls, G-6/1-4, by 2-0 in the opening match.
• Top officials present: Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohyuddin Wani, Inter-Provincial Coordination Secretary, Dr Ehtasham Anwar and national head coach Herman Kruis attended the ceremony.
• Countrywide launch: The league is being launched at the same time in Islamabad, all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.
• Boys and girls: Competitions will be held for both boys and girls, giving equal space to young players of both genders.

Match Schedule: From Tehsil Rounds to the National Final

• 15 November start: Competitions at the tehsil, district and divisional levels will begin on 15 November.
• Step-by-step progress: Teams will move up from tehsil to district, then to divisional rounds before reaching the provincial stage.
• Provincial rounds: Provincial competitions will be held in January 2027, where the best teams from each province will compete.
• National round: The national round will take place in February 2027, bringing the top provincial teams together.

Monthly Stipends for the Top Three Teams

• One-year stipends: Players from the top three teams in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will receive monthly stipends for one year.
• First place: Members of the first-place teams will receive Rs 10,000 per month.
• Second place: Players finishing second will receive Rs 7,500 per month.
• Third place: Players finishing third will receive Rs 5,000 per month.

Foreign Tour and Summer Training Camps

• Foreign tour: The overall winning team will be rewarded with a foreign tour, a rare honour for school players.
• 200 players yearly: The Pakistan Hockey Federation will select 100 boys and 100 girls each year for specialised summer training camps.
• Professional coaching: Camp players will receive professional hockey coaching, fitness training and academic support.
• National team path: The camps are designed to prepare young players for Pakistan’s national hockey teams in the future.
• Teachers recognised: School principals and sports teachers who contribute to the league’s success will also receive special awards.

Who Can Take Part in the League

• School students: The league is for students of schools across Pakistan, including Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
• Both genders: Boys and girls have separate competitions, with equal stipends and camp places for both.
• All regions: Students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan can also take part in the league.
• Ask your school: Students should ask their school principal or sports teacher how their school team is being selected.
• Start at tehsil level: Every team begins at the tehsil level, so even small schools have a fair chance to progress.

Why the League Matters for Pakistan Hockey

• Finding talent early: The league aims to identify young talent at school level and develop future players for the national teams.
• Reviving hockey: Pakistan’s national sport has struggled in recent years, and a school league rebuilds the talent pipeline from the base.
• Health and discipline: The programme encourages physical fitness, discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship and healthy lifestyles among students.
• Girls in sport: Equal competitions and stipends for girls give young female players a clear path in hockey.
• National pride: A strong school league can restore Pakistan’s hockey tradition and bring back international success over time.

Conclusion

The Schools Hockey League is a strong step for school sports in Pakistan. With monthly stipends of up to Rs 10,000, a foreign tour for the winners and summer camps for 200 players every year, the league gives young hockey players real rewards for their talent. Matches begin on 15 November at tehsil level, so students should speak to their school sports teacher now. If it runs as announced, it can rebuild Pakistan’s hockey talent from schools upward and give girls and boys an equal chance.

FAQs

When does the Schools Hockey League start?
Tehsil, district and divisional rounds begin on 15 November, provincial rounds in January 2027 and the national round in February 2027.

How much stipend do winning players get?
First-place team players get Rs 10,000 per month, second-place Rs 7,500 and third-place Rs 5,000, each for one year. The overall winning team also gets a foreign tour.

Can girls take part in the league?
Yes. The league has separate competitions for boys and girls, with equal stipends, and 100 girls are selected every year for summer training camps.

How can a student join the league?
Students should contact their school principal or sports teacher, as teams represent schools and begin at the tehsil level.