Pak in race against time to secure Pro League spot
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) finds itself in a desperate scramble to secure funding after receiving an unexpected lifeline — a potential place in the upcoming FIH Pro League. Following New Zealand's withdrawal due to financial constraints, Pakistan has been invited to take their place in the prestigious event — a move coach Tahir Zaman describes as a "golden opportunity to revive the country's hockey."
The International Hockey Federation (FIH) confirmed in a recent release that Pakistan has until 12 August to formally accept the invitation to participate in the 202425 edition of the FIH Pro League, the seventh season of the global competition.
"This is an incredible opportunity for us," Zaman told Telecom Asia Sport. "Playing against the world's top eight teams will do wonders for our squad. We may suffer heavy defeats at first, but with time, we will learn, adapt and grow. It's the kind of exposure we've been missing."
He added: "Even if I were not the coach, I would still urge Pakistan to accept. The Pro League has transformed teams like India and offers direct pathways to top-tier tournaments such as the World Cup and the Olympics."
Funding Woes
However, turning this opportunity into reality hinges on a crucial factor — funding. PHF Secretary Rana Mujahid acknowledged the challenge in securing the estimated $2.5 million required to fulfil both home and away fixtures.
"We anticipated New Zealand might pull out and we've been in touch with the government to explore funding options," Mujahid told TelecomAsia.net. "But we are still awaiting the official FIH invitation before confirming our participation."
The PHF is now relying on urgent intervention from the Pakistan government, which is already facing criticism for failing to release player allowances for the past two months. Team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt has gone public with his frustration, hinting at a possible player boycott unless payments are made.
PHF Under Fire
The federation's leadership — including President Tariq Bugti — is facing intense scrutiny, not just from the players but also from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). The government-run sports authority has demanded that PHF submit its financial accounts for the past two years before any funding can be considered.
Despite the mounting pressure, Zaman remains hopeful. "We've been handed a rare chance. I hope the authorities act in time to ensure we don't miss out — again."
If the PHF manages to raise the funds in time and confirm participation, Pakistan's return to the FIH Pro League could be a turning point for a sport that once brought Olympic and World Cup glory to the nation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
PSB raises cash rewards for global medalists
Listen to article The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has announced a substantial increase in cash rewards for national athletes who secure medals at international sporting events. The decision came during the 34th meeting of the PSB Board, where the revised 'Cash Award Policy' was formally unveiled. Under the new policy, prize money for Olympic gold winners has risen to Rs30 million from Rs10m earlier. Silver medalists will now receive Rs20 million, while bronze medalists will be awarded Rs10 million. Also Read: Naqvi confirms dates for Asia Cup The revised scheme also includes enhanced financial incentives for other major international competitions. Gold medalists at the Asian Games will receive Rs15m while silver and bronze medal holders will now be entitled to Rs7m and Rs5m, respectively. For the Commonwealth Games, gold medalists will be awarded with Rs7.5m and the Asian Snooker Championship winner will get Rs750,000. The policy further covers squash, squash, with Rs10m in prize money allocated for players winning the prestigious British Open or an equivalent tournament.
Business Recorder
8 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Spanish harmony to battle English resilience in Women's Euro final
BASEL: Sunday's final of the Women's Euros in Basel pitches the two best European teams of the current generation against each other, as a unified Spain side bristling with technique and intelligence takes on an equally talented England side that never gives up. Both sides have overcome adversity on their way to the final, with Spain almost losing playmaker Aitana Bonmati to a pre-tournament meningitis scare, and Sarina Wiegman's England coming close to elimination twice in the knockout round, only for late heroics to see them through. 'We need to be at our best to beat Spain. I think they need to be at their best to beat us, too,' England captain Leah Williamson told a media conference on Saturday. 'I think there's a lot of respect between the two teams, and I'd be hesitant to rule an underdog in this scenario.' Both sides said that all 23 squad members were fit and available for selection on Sunday, setting the stage for what is expected to be an intriguing battle of skill, wit and nerves. Defending champions England may not have played particularly well in their five games so far, but they have displayed an uncanny ability to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the knockout stage, first with a shootout win over Sweden and then with a come-from-behind extra-time victory over Italy. 'I know that we've left it late,' Williamson admitted. '(That was) definitely not the plan, we'd really like to wrap things up a little earlier and a little easier if we could.' Spain have also gotten off to several slow starts, but they have still run out convincing winners in their five games to date, eventually finding a way to break down their opponents. 'We have a particular way of playing, of training, we are very confident. Even if we won the games, there are things always that we can correct, things we see on video that we practice, and that's our line of work,' Spain captain Irene Paredes said. The Spain team for Sunday's final is a much more harmonious one than the one that took beat England 1-0 in the World Cup final in 2023, when several of the best Spanish players boycotted the tournament in a dispute with coaching staff and their federation. Though Spain won that game 1-0 to claim their first major title, Montse Tome's squad has given a much more unified impression in Switzerland, with none of the negativity that surrounded them at that World Cup. Spain reach Euro 2025 final after 1-0 extra-time win over Germany '(This tournament) shows the change we are making, and right now I believe that, for all their efforts, the squad deserves to win,' Tome said. 'When you are in the elite football world that's not always the case, but we will do everything to win the final tomorrow.' Spain's only defeat in their last 14 games came at the hands of Sarina Wiegman's side in the Nations League in February, and they will be slight favourites for Sunday's decider, but Paredes said such labels make little difference when the game kicks off. 'I think both teams deserve to be in the final. We wanted to be there, at the beginning of the tournament that was our objective, to play six games. We're on our way. Tomorrow is number six,' she told reporters. 'We don't like this idea of being favourites. We know what it takes to be here, what we have to suffer, and we have to be focused.' Sunday's final takes place at St. Jakob-Park stadium in Basel, with kick-off at 1800 CET (1600 GMT).
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
England seek revenge against Spain in Euro final
England are aiming to retain their title and avenge defeat at the hands of Aitana Bonmati's Spain in the Women's World Cup final of two years ago when the rivals meet again on Sunday to decide who will win Euro 2025. The showdown at St Jakob-Park in the Swiss city of Basel promises to be a fascinating contest between a Spain side looking to add the continental crown to their world title, and an England team who can secure back-to-back European Championship victories, and make up for the heartache of 2023 in the process. Spain beat England 1-0 in Sydney to win the World Cup for the first time, with Olga Carmona scoring the only goal -- another victory for La Roja on Sunday would cement their status as the dominant force in women's international football. "We have so much respect for them and the quality they have, but we also believe in ourselves, that we can really step up," said England's Ella Toone on Friday. Toone, 25, scored the first goal for the Lionesses when they beat Germany 2-1 after extra time at Wembley to win the last Women's Euros three years ago, and has played a key role in Switzerland on their run to a third straight major tournament final. "It is amazing. To make three consecutive finals for England is something that we can all be so proud of," she said at the team's base in Zurich. That remarkable run has come under the management of Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch coach who took charge in 2021 and immediately turned them into contenders. "She is a great manager, someone we all have a lot of belief in and we know we are in good hands. It is an unbelievable achievement for her," added Toone of Wiegman, who also won the Euros with her native Netherlands in 2017. It has not been an easy road to the final for England this time, with the Lionesses coming back from the brink of elimination more than once. Their title defence started with a 2-1 defeat by France in their opening group game three weeks ago. The Lionesses recovered to reach the knockout stages by hammering the Netherlands and Wales, but then required a remarkable comeback from two goals down to eventually beat Sweden on penalties in the quarter-finals. They then trailed to Italy in the semi-finals in Geneva until a 96th-minute goal by Michelle Agyemang forced extra time, and Chloe Kelly scored the winner just as another shoot-out loomed. "The belief in the squad, the resilience and the togetherness in this group is just so special," said Kelly, who has made a big impact from the bench in the last two rounds. But it remains to be seen if that resilience will be enough against a brilliant Spain side led by reigning Ballon d'Or Bonmati. The Barcelona midfielder -- who was in hospital with viral meningitis just before the tournament started -- scored the extra-time winner as Spain edged Germany in the last four to reach a first ever European Championship final. "All the hard work we have put in has paid off," said coach Montse Tome, who took over from Jorge Vilda following the 2023 World Cup triumph. Spain could have as many as seven starters on Sunday who featured in that game in Sydney, including Alexia Putellas -- she was only a bit-part player at the World Cup as she recovered from a knee injury, but Bonmati's predecessor as Ballon d'Or winner has been much more influential here. The theme of revenge could also apply to the Spaniards, who were knocked out of the last Euros by England, going down in extra time in the quarter-finals. Just two months ago an Arsenal side featuring several members of Wiegman's current England squad defeated Barcelona in the final of the Women's Champions League. Seven of the players who started for Barcelona that day in Lisbon are likely to start for Spain on Sunday, including Bonmati and Putellas. If they come out on top they will be the first nation to win the Women's World Cup and Euros back-to-back since Germany in 2007 and 2009, and they can also follow in the footsteps of their men's counterparts -- Spain beat England in the final of the men's Euro last year.
