Hockey: Cash-strapped Pakistan might be forced to skip FIH Pro League despite invitation
Pakistan
's return to top-level international hockey hangs in the balance, as financial constraints threaten the team's participation in the 2025–26 FIH Pro League.
The three-time Olympic champions were recently invited to join the upcoming season of the Pro League after New Zealand, who earned direct qualification by winning the 2024–25 FIH Nations Cup, pulled out of the event.
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) issued the formal invitation on Wednesday, giving Pakistan a deadline of August 12 to confirm its participation.
This opportunity marks a potential comeback for the once-dominant Pakistan side, who have missed out on the last three Olympic Games and the World Cup. The Pro League, scheduled between December 2025 and June 2026, features top-tier teams such as India, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Argentina, England, and Spain.
However, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is facing a major hurdle - a severe financial crunch. The cash-strapped federation has approached the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), requesting the release of 700 million Pakistani rupees (approximately USD 2.5 million) to fund the team's full campaign.
At a recent annual meeting, the state-run PSB clarified that it currently lacks the funds to support Pakistan's participation in the Pro League.
The Board has also asked the PHF to submit detailed financial records for funds received since last year, and it refused to cover the daily and travel allowances for players and officials who attended the Nations Cup.
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Pakistan lost to New Zealand in the final of the Nations Cup, but their second-place finish gave them a path to the Pro League after New Zealand withdrew.
'But whether this will be possible has to be seen as the PSB will send a summary to the Prime Minister for allocation of special funds to allow the PHF to send the team to the Pro League,' a PSB official said, as quoted by PTI.
He further stated that the Prime Minister, who is the patron-in-chief of the PHF, may consider changes in the federation's leadership before approving any special funding. 'Because of the failure of the PHF to update the PSB on how they had spent funds released to them since last year,' the official added.
Olympic gold medallist Rasheedul Hassan, who is campaigning against the PHF, said, 'Unfortunately the officials who had managed the federation affairs for last many years had failed to keep a clean image.'
Poll
Should the Pakistan Hockey Federation receive special funding to participate in the Pro League?
Yes, it's crucial for the team's future
No, they should manage their finances better
This isn't the first time financial issues have cost Pakistan on the global stage. During the inaugural Pro League season, the PHF had confirmed participation but later withdrew due to lack of funds. This resulted in a fine of €170,000 imposed by the FIH.
Historically, Pakistan remains the most successful hockey team in Asian Games history, with eight gold medals. They also remain the only Asian side to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy thrice, with the triumphs coming in 1978, 1980, and 1994.
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