US Edition
Black Sticks Won’t Play in ‘Expensive’ Pro League
PAKISTAN, JUL 23 – New Zealand cited financial strain and a travel-heavy format for withdrawal; Pakistan, runners-up at the Nations Cup, have until August 12 to accept the Pro League invitation.
- Despite securing their place by triumphing at the Nations Cup held in Malaysia in 2025, the New Zealand Black Sticks men opted to withdraw from the 2025-26 FIH Pro League.
- They made this decision after consultations revealed the Pro League's expensive, travel-heavy format conflicted with their sustainable, athlete-focused programme.
- Hockey New Zealand and the players' association emphasized that the league fails to fulfill its initial goals and creates significant challenges for countries located far from the main centers of international competition, such as New Zealand.
- Sam Lane from the Black Sticks expressed frustration over missing the opportunity to compete despite having qualified, urging the FIH to better communicate with athletes. Meanwhile, coach Greg Nicol highlighted the team’s focus on prioritizing player wellbeing above the expenses associated with participating.
- After New Zealand announced its exit from the upcoming season because of budget cuts, the FIH extended an invitation to Pakistan—runners-up in the 2024-25 Nations Cup and multiple-time world and Olympic champions—to participate in the 2025-26 Pro League, with a response required by August 12.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Pakistan unsure of participation in FIH Pro League 2025-26 due to cash crunch
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.
Pakistan Unsure Of Participation In Next Hockey Pro League 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.
Pak in race against time to secure Pro League spot
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) finds itself in a desperate scramble to secure funding after receiving an unexpected lifeline — a potential place in the upcoming FIH Pro League. Following New Zealand's withdrawal due to financial constraints, Pakistan has been invited to take their place in the prestigious event — a move coach Tahir Zaman describes as a "golden opportunity to revive the country's hockey." The International Hockey Federation…
FIH invites Pakistan to elite Hockey Pro League as New Zealand withdraws
LAUSANNE: The International Hockey Federation has formally extended an invitation to the Pakistan Hockey Federation to participate in the prestigious Hockey Pro League, following New Zealand's withdrawal due to financial constraints.
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