The championship is scheduled to be held from July 14-23 here at the National Hockey Stadium. The event is aimed at promoting the game at the grassroots level i.e. club level which will help hunt emerging talent from remote areas of Pakistan. The championship is divided into four stages including district, divisional, provincial and national level. The final national round will see total 10 teams including four teams from Punjab, two teams from Sindh, two teams from KPK, one team from Baluchistan and one team each from Islamabad, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan.
The championship started with 72 districts and 718 clubs contesting at district level all over Pakistan. The district level stage ended on May 25 with encouraging response from the district administration. Dormant grounds were activated in many districts. The division level stage was conducted with full zeal and fervor. Total 69 clubs of 28 divisions from all over the country participated at division level competition.
The provincial level stage will commence from June 25 to July 3. Total 31 club teams including 9 teams from Punjab, 7 from KPK, 6 from Sindh, 6 teams from Baluchistan and 1 team each from Islamabad, GB and AJK will contest to qualify for national level championship.
With support of media and sponsorship of philanthropists, these clubs will make more effort to raise overall playing standards of hockey. Thus maximum qualified players will be coming up from grassroots level. This, in turn, will help to revive national game and go a long way in restoring confidence of emerging young players.