LAHORE: The International Hockey Federation (FIH) has included Pakistan among nine countries that will take part in Hockey Pro League, which takes place every year from January to June.

The new league has replaced Champions Trophy and World Hockey League Semi-finals and Final, and its inaugural competition will be held in 2019.

A press release issued by the FIH stated here on Monday, “After the first phase of applications, 13 men’s teams were shortlisted. In the second phase, an extensive questionnaire was sent to these 13 candidates and on the basis of it nine teams are finalised.

“The Hockey Pro League will kick off in January 2019, replacing the Champions Trophy and the World League Semi-final and World League Final. It will provide for the first-time ever a regular calendar of must-see hockey events played across the world throughout the year.

Pakistan among nine competing nations

“Matches will be played between January and June each year and every team will play eight home and an equal number of away matches, equating to 144 (excluding the finale tournament).

“Each year there will be an annual Grand Final tournament involving the top 4 teams (both men’s and women’s) played at a pre-determined location.

“Pakistan, one of the world’s best men’s teams, is among the nine teams and it will face Argentina, Australia, Belgium, England/Great Britain, Germany, India, Netherlands and New Zealand in the contest.

“However, Pakistan’s home matches will be played in Scotland due to security reasons. The PHF is greatly indebted to the Scottish Hockey Union who readily agreed to host Pakistan’s home matches in Glasgow.”

FIH CEO Jason McCracken said about the development, “We strongly believe that this new competition will fuel growth of our sport for many years to come, significantly increasing revenues for hockey.

“As a result it will make hockey a career choice for athletes who will regularly be given the opportunity to perform in big, bold, packed and loud venues both in their homeland and overseas.”

FIH president Dr Narinder Dhruv Batra added, “With this league, hockey will turn into a professional game, leaving behind its past character of being a game for amateurs, opening a good future for athletes and coaches.”

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2017