Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif to make final call as hockey team faces financial hurdles to participate in Pro League

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.

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.