ISLAMABAD, Apr 06 (IN): The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) on Monday announced the schedule for the Youth Under-18 National Hockey Championship 2026, which will be held from April 9 to April 19.A total of 16 teams from across the country will compete in the 11-day tournament, aiming to secure the national title while offering young players an opportunity to showcase their skills for future national selection.
According to the PHF, teams have been divided into four pools. Pool A includes Pakistan Customs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2, Punjab 4 and Gilgit-Baltistan. Pool B features Punjab 1, Sindh 2, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1. Pool C comprises Police, Punjab 2, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, while Pool D consists of Pakistan Education Board, Sindh 1, Punjab 3 and Pakistan Army.
The championship will kick off on April 9 with four matches, including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2 versus Gilgit-Baltistan, Sindh 2 against Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 1 taking on Punjab 1, and Pakistan Customs facing Punjab 4.Group stage matches will continue until April 14, followed by a rest day on April 15. The quarterfinals are scheduled for April 16, with top teams from each pool advancing. Semifinals will be played on April 17 at 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm.
The tournament will conclude on April 19, with the third-place match at 1:30 pm and the final at 3:30 pm.The PHF expressed confidence that the championship will help discover emerging talent and play a vital role in strengthening the future of hockey in Pakistan.
