Tahir Zaman Downplays Financial Concerns Regarding Hockey Pro League Participation

LAHORE: Pakistan’s hockey team head coach, Tahir Zaman, addressed apprehensions on Wednesday about the significant financial implications of participating in the FIH Pro League. He asserted that participation is vital for securing a position among the world’s top 10 teams.

Speaking to the media in Lahore, Zaman highlighted that the national team’s deficiency in experience against elite teams is a primary factor in their disappointing showings.

“Currently, we are not competing against top-tier teams. Our athletes lack vital experience, which explains why we often struggle against higher-ranked opponents in crucial matches, including finals.

This pattern has been quite noticeable at both the senior and junior levels over the last several years,” he commented.

Zaman emphasized that consistent involvement in the Pro League is crucial as it not only aids in improving rankings but also offers players invaluable competitive experience.

“To build players’ mental strength and broaden their exposure, it’s imperative to compete against leading teams. Progress is unattainable without engaging with those ranked above us.

Even if we experience substantial losses in the Pro League, it represents a necessary investment to maintain a presence within the top ten nations,” he elaborated.

The head coach voiced his optimism that Pakistan’s participation in the FIH Pro League would also bolster their prospects for qualifying for major global tournaments.

“I am confident that participating in just two seasons of the Pro League will substantially improve our global ranking. It’s not solely about rankings; the Pro League also directly aids in securing qualification for global competitions,” Zaman stated.

He addressed misunderstandings regarding the event’s format, which was previously based on a costly home-and-away system.

“That format has been revised, leading to a considerable reduction in costs. Previously, a single season could amount to approximately Rs 350 million; however, teams are no longer required to travel to each other’s countries under the revised format,” he clarified.

“While no teams will visit Pakistan for the Pro League, we have the opportunity to participate in mini-tournaments on a home-and-away basis, potentially held in Argentina or Europe.

It is important to acknowledge that the overall expenses associated with the Pro League have significantly decreased,” he concluded.