Pakistan Invited to Join FIH Pro League Amid Crisis

Strategic Insights -

The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has invited Pakistan to join the top-tier Pro League after New Zealand withdrew from the tournament. However, this invitation has led to a series of crises in Pakistan hockey, with the country's government and sports board at odds over funding. Pakistan finished second in the FIH Nations Cup, a second-tier tournament that grants promotion to the Pro League. The Green Shirts lost to New Zealand, which later informed the FIH that it would not field a team. As a result, the FIH invited Pakistan and gave them time until August 12 to confirm participation. The Pro League involves a series of matches between the top-ranked teams in the world over two legs. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has estimated that participating in the Pro League would cost approximately 700 million Pakistani Rupees ($2.5 million). The PHF has requested funding from the Pakistan Sports Board, but the board has informed the PHF that it does not have the funds.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FIH invited Pakistan to join the Pro League after New Zealand withdrew, citing a lack of team participation.
  • Pakistan finished second in the FIH Nations Cup, a second-tier tournament that grants promotion to the Pro League.
  • The Green Shirts lost to New Zealand, which later informed the FIH that it would not field a team.
  • The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) estimated that participating in the Pro League would cost approximately 700 million Pakistani Rupees ($2.5 million).
  • The PHF requested funding from the Pakistan Sports Board, but the board informed the PHF that it does not have the funds.
  • The PHF was previously fined 170,000 euros by the FIH in 2019 for declining to participate in the Pro League due to a financial crunch.
  • The country's government, led by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, has been urged to intervene in the crisis.
  • The Pakistan Sports Board has directed the PHF to submit detailed accounts of the funds allocated to them since last year.

Statistics:

  • The estimated cost of participating in the Pro League is 700 million Pakistani Rupees, approximately $2.5 million.
  • The FIH imposed a fine of 170,000 euros on the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) in 2019 for declining to participate in the Pro League.
  • Pakistan lost to New Zealand in the FIH Nations Cup final, which granted promotion to the Pro League.
  • The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has requested funding from the Pakistan Sports Board to confirm participation in the Pro League.
  • The Pakistan Sports Board has informed the PHF that it does not have the funds to support the country's participation in the Pro League.

Sources:

  • Express News Service
  • Dawn