Pakistan invited to FIH Pro League after New Zealand withdrawal
Pakistan’s men’s hockey team is set to participate in the upcoming FIH Pro League, one of the world’s most prestigious field hockey tournaments, thanks to an unprecedented intervention by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The move comes after New Zealand pulled out of the league, opening the door for Pakistan and India to fill the vacant slots.
According to a report by Telecom Asia Sport, Pakistan received the official invitation, but the national hockey federation was confronted with an insurmountable obstacle: funding.
Massive financial shortfall threatens participation
As reported by Firstpost, the Pakistan hockey team would require nearly 700 million Pakistani rupees (approx. $2.5 million) to compete in the tournament. Struggling with financial instability, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) turned to the Pakistan Sports Board for help and eventually took the matter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Despite these efforts, it became evident that PHF was unlikely to raise the amount in time. That’s when the PCB reportedly stepped in with a solution—and a catch.
PCB assumes full control of finances and operations
According to the report by Telecom Asia Sport, the PCB has agreed to fund the team’s participation, but will retain complete financial and administrative control over the hockey campaign. The PHF will be entirely removed from any decision-making related to the Pro League entry.
“It’s confirmed. PCB will take care of all the financial and administrative aspects of it, with no interference from the PHF. PCB will appoint its own personnel and possibly contract event organisers to execute the planned move,” said the source.
“If the PCB funds the Pro League, PHF will have no control over financial transactions,” the source told Telecom Asia.
An official from PCB also confirmed the move to Telecom Asia Sport, saying:
“Yes, PCB is going to help Pakistan hockey.”
This arrangement reportedly includes hiring independent staff and potentially outsourcing operations to external organisers to manage the team’s logistics, preparation, and participation in the event.
“PCB will appoint its own personnel and possibly contract event organisers to execute the planned move,” a source told Telecom Asia.
PHF sidelined but holds out hope
While the PHF remains the official governing body for hockey in Pakistan, this development is being seen by many as a temporary takeover for this specific tournament. The PHF, led by President Mir Tariq Hussain Bugti and Secretary Rana Mujahid, had been actively seeking sponsorships to maintain control, but time and resources are running out.
The federation initially had until August 12 to confirm its participation but has now reportedly received a short extension until August 20 to finalise the arrangement, giving them a narrow window to salvage their influence.
Youth development funds to be redirected
Telecom Asia Sport also reported that the PCB’s funding will likely come from government allocations originally earmarked for youth development, now being diverted to meet the urgent financial needs of the hockey team.
Although the move raises questions about long-term funding models and governance in Pakistan sports, many are seeing this as a necessary short-term solution to avoid missing out on a critical international opportunity.
What’s next for Pakistan hockey?
Should the PCB’s plan proceed without challenge, the Pakistan hockey team will officially return to the nine-nation FIH Pro League, which not only serves as a showcase for top-tier hockey but also as a qualifier for the Hockey World Cup—and, in some cases, the Olympics.
While PCB’s financial lifeline has likely saved the team’s place in the tournament, it may also signal a new era in the cross-sport governance landscape of Pakistan—one where the cricket board’s influence extends well beyond the boundary ropes.
