Further Delay In NOC To Halt Holding Professional Hockey League

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Sep, 2016 ) : Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is still awaiting issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Punjab Government as further delay in this regard would not be helpful in materializing the dream of arranging the first-ever Professional Hockey League in the country.

Talking to APP, PHF Secretary Shahbaz Ahmed Senior said this is the only chance for the federation to revive the country's lost glory through the Professional Hockey League. "Issuance of NOC is mandatory for holding the Professional Hockey League and it should be issued three months (90) before holding the event which is scheduled to be held in November this year," he said.

He said as any further delay in the issuance of NOC would result in the postponement or cancellation or of the league. "We have roped in more than 30 international players from five to ten countries (Argentina, Germany, New Zealand and Australia etc) to participate in the League.

But it all depends on the NOC now," he said. "Realizing the importance of the NOC we had applied to get the approval of the Punjab Government before time," he claimed. He said we are making all-out efforts to initiate our first league before the end of this year.

"We are in talks with the sponsors, broadcasters etc therefore it will be a big setback if now the league gets delayed," he said. He said Pakistan has not been performing well in the international arena, the league would therefore increase the domestic players' confidence by playing with foreigners.

Responding to a question, he said players need jobs to earn a living and therefore jobs should be provided to them. "When we used to play, players were given employment opportunities in different national departments and organizations but now I don't know the reason why players are not being offered jobs," he said.