ISLAMABAD: While urging the government to make a concrete indigenous plan by investing in youth for steering Pakistan hockey out of trouble, legendary player Shahbaz Ahmed Senior has opposed the country’s proposed plan to spend huge money for the national team’s participation in the FIH Pro-League.

New Zealand, the winners of the FIH Nations Cup staged last month in Kuala Lumpur where they defeated Pakistan 6-2 in the final, reportedly have not shown interest in competing in the said league due to financial constraints.

Therefore, in case of New Zealand’s refusal, Pakistan could get a chance to participate in the said league, which will be held in December this year. According to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), around $2.5 million are required to compete in this event. New Zealand still have a chance to confirm their participation in the Pro League to the FIH till July 21. If they decide to withdraw from the league, Pakistan will be required to convey its decision of participation or otherwise by July 30.

When Dawn approached the iconic pla­y­er, who was one of the finest forwards the game has produced, to get his point of view concerning Pakistan’s participation in the 2025-26 edition of the nine-nation league that started in 2017, he sounded adamant that spending extravagantly on the event would be futile for the Green-shirts.

“The Pro Hockey League is not a path to glory; it’s not the event in which you create history. Otherwise New Zealand would have [immediately] accepted the opportunity to participate. Black Sticks are a better ranked team [than Pakistan] but [still] they declined due to their comprehensive vision [towards the sport]. Spending $2.5 million for competing in this event is not a good deal,” said Shahbaz who led Pakistan to a memorable victory at the 1994 World Cup in Sydney.

“In the present circumstances, we [should] not go for the Pro Lea­gue as huge funds are requ­ired for it. This league suits Euro­pean to play on reciprocal basis to gain experience by spending very less. But for a country like Pakistan it is highly difficult,” he said and advised the government to invest in gross-roots hockey and improve domestic structure.

“I request the government to at least make a three-year plan, invest in youth, improve domestic structure and take care of available hockey players by providing them with best possible facilities and handsome salaries,” said Shahbaz who worked as PHF secretary general from 2015 to 2019.

He further said that if the FIH wanted to be so kind towards Pak­i­stan, they should allocate a window for an international event.

“This way our boys can learn some [top-level] international hockey which may inspire the youth,” he underlined.

For homegrown and long-term development, Shahbaz — who is also known as Maradona of Hockey — advised the government to invest in youth.

“The government and the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination should chalk out a plan to enhance [the] pool of players who can [minutely] understand the game plan. We are far behind visionary hockey, and lack competitive physical fitness level,” he said while cautioning that the present woes of Pakistan hockey will remain for a decade if timely and appropriate intervention was not made.

According to Shahbaz who retired from the game in 2002, there is a need to promote hockey at gross-roots under a proper plan.

“Proper planning is imperative for hockey at gross-roots. Every province spends on sports but without planning. As a result, hockey is not making progress,” he lamented.

Pakistan, which holds an extremely rich history with four World Cup wins, three Olympic titles besides several other continental and global titles in international hockey, has suffered an alarming decline in the game for the last 30 years due to poor administration and negligence in the PHF officialdom, non-existent planning and upgrading, sheer lack of accountability, nepotism and a high frequency of changes in the federation.

Despite the mounting challenges currently faced by Paki­stan hockey, Shahbaz reckoned there was no need to be pessimistic.

“We should not be disappointed, things can be improved and we can bring back our glory in this game. For this there is a need of a proper plan and investment on youth and infrastructure… participation in one edition of FIH the Pro League can’t bring improvement,” the star player concluded.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2025