PHF to review Pakistan Hockey's dismal Pro League campaign

LAHORE: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) President Mohiyuddin Ahmad Wani has announced a comprehensive review of the national team's disappointing FIH Pro League campaign, vowing sweeping structural reforms, strict accountability and the introduction of foreign coaching expertise to revive the country's fortunes.

Wani said the PHF was overhauling the country's hockey structure, adding that a panel of foreign coaches and high-performance fitness trainers would soon be brought to Pakistan to raise the national team's standards.

He revealed that a zero-tolerance policy had been implemented for players, team management and selectors, with strict accountability measures introduced to uphold the highest professional standards.

Reflecting on Pakistan's Pro League campaign, Wani admitted the results had exposed major shortcomings in the team's physical fitness, understanding of the modern game and tactical approach.

"The Pro League results clearly highlighted severe deficiencies in our team's physical fitness, modern game awareness and tactical execution," Wani said.

He stressed that urgent and decisive measures were now unavoidable to restore Pakistan hockey, adding that the era of temporary fixes and short-term decisions had come to an end.

"The improvement of Pakistan hockey now requires emergency measures and the toughest possible decisions. The time for temporary fixes and short-term decisions is over," he added.

Wani further announced that national team selection and central contracts would now be directly linked to players' performances, fitness levels and discipline, signalling a shift towards a merit-based system.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan's FIH Pro League campaign ended with a 7-0 defeat to England at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on Saturday, marking the side's 16th consecutive defeat.

The result meant Pakistan finished the nine-team tournament without a single victory, losing all 16 of their matches—two against each of the other eight participating teams—and ending bottom of the standings with a goal difference of -57.difference of -57.