The future of Pakistan’s national hockey team in the FIH Pro League now depends on the federal government. The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has sent a proposal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, requesting financial support for the team’s participation.
The FIH invited Pakistan to join the 2025–26 Pro League after New Zealand withdrew due to budget cuts. However, the cost of participating is high. According to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), the team needs around Rs700 million (USD 2.5 million) to cover travel, training, logistics, and match expenses from December 2025 to June 2026.
During the PSB’s 34th board meeting in Islamabad, officials agreed that the board cannot fund the hockey team with its current budget. As a result, the proposal has been forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office for a final decision.
The PHF is eager for the hockey team to compete internationally again. However, there are concerns due to past issues between the PHF and PSB. These include financial transparency problems and unpaid player salaries. The PSB has requested a detailed audit of the PHF’s spending over the last year.
In 2019, the hockey team withdrew from the Pro League at the last moment due to funding problems. That decision led to a €170,000 fine and damage to Pakistan’s international reputation. Officials now hope to avoid repeating that mistake.
If approved, the hockey team will get the chance to compete against top international sides. It would also help revive the sport in Pakistan, which once dominated global hockey.
The final decision is now in the hands of the Prime Minister. Support from the government could mark a turning point for Pakistan’s hockey team and its journey back to the world stage.
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