New Professional Hockey League launched for SA
In line with similar initiatives in basketball and netball, the first Professional Hockey League (PHL) was launched in Randburg on Friday.
The new league will feature six men's and six women's teams competing over a period of four weeks at the Randburg Astro complex.
In line with similar steps in women's tennis and golf recently, the PHL offers equal remuneration and prize money for men and women.
CEO of the South African Hockey Association, Marissa Langeni said this is a huge stride in ensuring parity between men's and women's sport.
"As South African Hockey we pride ourselves in always making sure we provide opportunities equally between men and women. I think this particular league is a global first and this has been confirmed by the International Hockey Federation that, internationally, there is no such league that provides an equal opportunity to both males and females and also provides and equal opportunity in terms of pay," she said.
Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Gert Oosthuizen said the department is always striving for parity between the genders in South African sport and the PHL is a forerunner in that regard.
"We are saying we want parity between male and female athletes. Both are equal and we are proud of all of them. There is no such thing as the one is better than the other one. On that level, we are saying, you must be rewarded and recognised equally," he said.
