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First Post
5 days ago
- Business
- First Post
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to make final call as hockey team faces financial hurdles to participate in Pro League
Pakistan hockey team needs approximately $2.5 million to compete in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 but they are struggling to raise funds and the federation is now dependent on PM Shehbaz Sharif. read more Pakistan hockey team has been invited to take part in FIH Pro League, but need to raise required funds first. Image: Imran butt on X Pakistan hockey team's participation in the upcoming FIH Pro League 2025-26 now depends on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's decision, as the Pakistan Hockey Federation struggles to arrange the required $2.5 million to take part in the tournament. The FIH Pro League is a top-tier hockey contest in which the world's best teams play against each other over two legs. Pakistan had initially failed to qualify for the Pro League after losing to New Zealand in the 2024-25 FIH Nations Cup. However, they have been offered a chance to join the tournament by the International Hockey Federation (FIH) on Wednesday after New Zealand pulled out of the contest. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pakistan hockey faces financial crisis Pakistan have to confirm their participation by 12 August, but the cost involved in participating in the tournament is proving to be a stumbling block. As per an estimation by the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the team will need 700 million Pakistani Rupees (approximately $2.5 million) to complete the whole campaign. However, the cash-strapped PHF finds itself unable to raise the money, approaching the Pakistan Sports Board for the funds. Reportedly, the Pakistan Sports Board has informed the hockey federation that it doesn't have enough funds. The PSB has also asked PHF to clarify where the funds allocated to them since last year have been spent. 'Concerning the invitation to participate in the FIH Pro League, [the] members authorised the PSB president Rana Sanaullah to take the final decision. It was agreed that a formal letter, outlining the rationale and objectives of participation, would be sent by the PSB President to the Prime Minister,' Pakistan Sports Board said after a meeting with the hockey federation, as per Dawn. Now the ball is in Pakistan PM Shebaz Sherif's court as he is likely to take a final call on the team's participation in the hockey Pro League tournament. Incidentally, Pakistan also missed participation in the inaugural Pro League in 2019 due to a financial crisis. They were later fined 170,000 euros by the PHF.
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Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Pakistan hockey faces cash crunch, uncertain about Pro League participation
The Pakistan hockey team's participation in the 2025-26 FIH Pro League lies in jeopardy because of financial crunch, derailing the three-time Olympic champions' much-anticipated comeback at the international stage. The Pakistan men's hockey team, which has won the World Cup four times, has been invited to compete in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 after New Zealand, who had earned direct qualification by winning the 2024-25 Nations Cup, decided not to participate in the upcoming season. The International Hockey Federation (FIH), the game's governing body, formally extended the invitation to Pakistan on Wednesday and had given them a deadline till August 12 to inform their confirmation. Pakistan, which has failed to qualify for the last three Olympics and also World Cup, has been given an opportunity by the FIH to compete against top tier teams Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain in the competition that will be held from December, 2025 till June, 2026. But the problem is that the cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) doesn't have funds to send the team for the Pro League. The PHF have now requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to release 700 million rupees (around USD 2.5 million) for the entire campaign. The state run PSB, at its recent annual meeting, made it clear that it doesn't have the funds to ensure Pakistan's participation in the Pro League. The PSB, in fact, has already directed the PHF to submit detailed accounts of the funds allocated to them since last year and have flatly refused to release more funds to the national federation to pay daily and travel allowances of players and officials, who went to the recent FIH Nations Cup. Pakistan lost in the final of the FIH Nations Cup to New Zealand, who automatically qualified for the Pro League. But New Zealand have informed the FIH that they wouldn't be sending their team, as a result of which second-best Pakistan have got a chance to compete against the top tier teams. "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," an official in the PSB said. He made it clear that because of the failure of the PHF to update the PSB on how they had spent funds released to them since last year the Prime Minister, who is patron-in-chief of the PHF might opt for a change in the top leadership of the federation before approving special funds of 700 million rupees. Rasheedul Hassan, an Olympic gold medallist who has launched a campaign against the PHF, said unfortunately the officials who had managed the federation affairs for last many years had failed to keep a clean image. When the inaugural Pro League was held, the PHF had initially confirmed participation in the event but later backed out citing lack of funds as a result it ended up paying a fine of 170,000 euros to the FIH. For record, Pakistan is the most successful national team in the Asian Games history, with eight gold medals -- 1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1990, and 2010, the highest number of times a country has become Asian Champion. Pakistan is also the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy thrice -- 1978, 1980 and 1994. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Pakistan unsure of participation in FIH Pro League 2025-26 due to cash crunch
The Pakistan hockey team's participation in the 2025-26 FIH Pro League lies in jeopardy because of financial crunch, derailing the three-time Olympic champions' much-anticipated comeback at the international stage. The Pakistan men's hockey team, which has won the World Cup four times, has been invited to compete in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 after New Zealand, which had earned direct qualification by winning the 2024-25 Nations Cup, decided not to participate in the upcoming season. The International Hockey Federation (FIH), the game's governing body, formally extended the invitation to Pakistan on Wednesday and had given them a deadline till August 12 to inform their confirmation. Pakistan, which has failed to qualify for the last three Olympics and also World Cup, has been given an opportunity by the FIH to compete against top tier teams Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain in the competition that will be held from December, 2025 till June, 2026. But the problem is that the cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) doesn't have funds to send the team for the Pro League. The PHF have now requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to release 700 million rupees (around USD 2.5 million) for the entire campaign. The state run PSB, at its recent annual meeting, made it clear that it doesn't have the funds to ensure Pakistan's participation in the Pro League. ALSO READ | India A ends Euro Tour campaign with 2-8 loss against Netherlands The PSB, in fact, has already directed the PHF to submit detailed accounts of the funds allocated to them since last year and have flatly refused to release more funds to the national federation to pay daily and travel allowances of players and officials, who went to the recent FIH Nations Cup. Pakistan lost in the final of the FIH Nations Cup to New Zealand, who automatically qualified for the Pro League. But New Zealand have informed the FIH that they wouldn't be sending their team, as a result of which second-best Pakistan have got a chance to compete against the top tier teams. '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,' an official in the PSB said. He made it clear that because of the failure of the PHF to update the PSB on how they had spent funds released to them since last year the Prime Minister, who is patron-in-chief of the PHF might opt for a change in the top leadership of the federation before approving special funds of 700 million rupees. Rasheedul Hassan, an Olympic gold medallist who has launched a campaign against the PHF, said unfortunately the officials who had managed the federation affairs for last many years had failed to keep a clean image. When the inaugural Pro League was held, the PHF had initially confirmed participation in the event but later backed out citing lack of funds as a result it ended up paying a fine of 170,000 euros to the FIH. For record, Pakistan is the most successful national team in the Asian Games history, with eight gold medals -- 1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1990, and 2010, the highest number of times a country has become Asian Champion. Pakistan is also the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy thrice -- 1978, 1980 and 1994.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Hockey: Cash-strapped Pakistan might be forced to skip FIH Pro League despite invitation
Pakistan Hockey (Agency image) 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. Bombay Sport Exchange Episode 1: Interview with Sanjog Gupta, CEO (Sports) at JioStar 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. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
NDTV
6 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
Pakistan Unsure Of Participation In Next Hockey Pro League Due To Cash Crunch
Karachi: The Pakistan hockey team's participation in the 2025-26 FIH Pro League lies in jeopardy because of financial crunch, derailing the three-time Olympic champions' much-anticipated comeback at the international stage. The Pakistan men's hockey team, which has won the World Cup four times, has been invited to compete in the FIH Pro League 2025-26 after New Zealand, who had earned direct qualification by winning the 2024-25 Nations Cup, decided not to participate in the upcoming season. The International Hockey Federation (FIH), the game's governing body, formally extended the invitation to Pakistan on Wednesday and had given them a deadline till August 12 to inform their confirmation. Pakistan, which has failed to qualify for the last three Olympics and also World Cup, has been given an opportunity by the FIH to compete against top tier teams Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands and Spain in the competition that will be held from December, 2025 till June, 2026. But the problem is that the cash-strapped Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) doesn't have funds to send the team for the Pro League. The PHF have now requested the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to release 700 million rupees (around USD 2.5 million) for the entire campaign. The state run PSB, at its recent annual meeting, made it clear that it doesn't have the funds to ensure Pakistan's participation in the Pro League. The PSB, in fact, has already directed the PHF to submit detailed accounts of the funds allocated to them since last year and have flatly refused to release more funds to the national federation to pay daily and travel allowances of players and officials, who went to the recent FIH Nations Cup. Pakistan lost in the final of the FIH Nations Cup to New Zealand, who automatically qualified for the Pro League. But New Zealand have informed the FIH that they wouldn't be sending their team, as a result of which second-best Pakistan have got a chance to compete against the top tier teams. "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," an official in the PSB said. He made it clear that because of the failure of the PHF to update the PSB on how they had spent funds released to them since last year the Prime Minister, who is patron-in-chief of the PHF might opt for a change in the top leadership of the federation before approving special funds of 700 million rupees. Rasheedul Hassan, an Olympic gold medallist who has launched a campaign against the PHF, said unfortunately the officials who had managed the federation affairs for last many years had failed to keep a clean image. When the inaugural Pro League was held, the PHF had initially confirmed participation in the event but later backed out citing lack of funds as a result it ended up paying a fine of 170,000 euros to the FIH. For record, Pakistan is the most successful national team in the Asian Games history, with eight gold medals -- 1958, 1962, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1990, and 2010, the highest number of times a country has become Asian Champion. Pakistan is also the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy thrice -- 1978, 1980 and 1994.
