ISLAMABAD: In a major development that could shape the future of Pakistan hockey on the global stage, Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif in his capacity as Patron-in-Chief of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has constituted a high-level special committee to decide about Pakistan’s participation in the FIH Pro League 2026, following the withdrawal of New Zealand.
Highly placed sources confirmed to The News that the committee will be chaired by Rana Sanaullah Khan, Advisor on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), and will comprise key decision-makers including the Secretary IPC, Secretary Finance, and one representative each from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). The committee’s first meeting is slated for Monday, August 11, where it will review the pros and cons of accepting the International Hockey Federation’s (FIH) offer for Pakistan to step in.
With New Zealand declining participation in the League despite their Nations Cup victory, the FIH has extended a formal invitation to Pakistan, offering a golden opportunity to re-enter top-tier global hockey. However, the PHF faces a tight deadline, as the FIH has asked for a final response by August 16. Initially, the PHF had set August 12 as their internal deadline but was forced to seek an extension due to the Independence Day holidays and long weekend.
According to insiders, the PHF has already submitted a comprehensive working paper to the government, seeking a Rs 350 million grant to facilitate Pakistan’s participation in the year-long league which kicks off in February 2026. In an unprecedented move of transparency and accountability, the PHF has formally proposed that not a single rupee be transferred to its account. Instead, they have urged the government to directly invest the entire amount through the proposed committee or via the Pakistan Sports Board, covering all expenses such as international travel, accommodation, daily allowances, and logistics for players and support staff.
A senior PHF official, speaking to The News, emphasized the federation’s willingness to forego financial handling to ensure credibility: “We’ve made it absolutely clear: the government can manage the funds directly. We don’t want to handle a single penny. What matters is that Pakistan takes its rightful place in the FIH Pro League, this is a critical step for our national sport’s revival.”
He further dispelled speculative reports of financial mismanagement within the PHF, asserting that this hands-off approach should silence any doubts. “There’s been unfounded criticism of the PHF’s financial conduct. That’s precisely why we’ve requested the government to channel the funding independently, without involving any federation officials. This is purely for the betterment of the team and the sport.”
Meanwhile, the fate of Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup Hockey remains sealed. As first reported by The News on July 12, the government has effectively blocked the national team from traveling to India for the September tournament. While no official notification has yet been issued, sources confirm that the government has refused clearance for the team’s cross-border travel — meaning Pakistan will not be part of the 2025 Asia Cup.
With the August 16 deadline looming, all eyes now turn to the newly formed committee, whose verdict could either reignite Pakistan’s journey back to international hockey glory or signal another missed opportunity for the once-dominant giants of the sport.
