The Worldwide Hockey Federation (FIH) can affirm that the Pakistan males’s hockey workforce, nicknamed the Inexperienced Shirts, have accepted the invitation to take part within the upcoming 2025-26 season of the FIH Hockey Professional League.
Pakistan had been promoted by means of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup performed in Malaysia earlier this 12 months. While New Zealand gained that occasion in opposition to Pakistan within the ultimate, Hockey New Zealand later indicated that the Black Sticks wouldn’t proceed with the invitation to hitch Professional League this time. Due to this fact, as stipulated within the rules, FIH prolonged the invitation to the runners-up, particularly Pakistan, who’ve confirmed their participation.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram mentioned: “Nice to see Pakistan again in elite competitors – this can be a actually impactful milestone for world hockey. Their return marks not solely the comeback of a workforce with such a wealthy and storied historical past, but in addition an thrilling enhance to the visibility and attain of the FIH Hockey Professional League. I can already anticipate an enhanced visibility of the Professional League with Pakistan’s participation. Congratulations to the Pakistan males’s workforce for qualifying by means of the FIH Hockey Nations Cup and incomes their place within the ‘League of the Finest’ for the very first time. This achievement is a robust instance of how creating extra alternatives at each degree of our sport fosters progress and offers a pure pathway to the very prime.”
Pakistan will be part of Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England, Germany, India, Netherlands, and Spain within the upcoming males’s season of the FIH Hockey Professional League – the seventh version of the competitors. They may change Eire who had been relegated on the finish of the earlier season, following their ninth place end within the league.
The FIH welcomes Pakistan to the ‘League of the Finest’ and appears ahead to their aggressive presence enabling additional historic matches and persevering with the range of the League. Additional particulars concerning the competitors schedule and venues can be introduced in the end.
