Pakistan is moving towards launching a domestic hockey league, a step that officials and players hope will give the sport a more stable footing. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), led by ad hoc president Mohyuddin Wani, is aiming for the first quarter of next year for the inaugural edition, which is expected to be staged in Lahore. Six to eight franchises are likely to take part, and private-sector partners are expected to play a central role in financing and organising the event.
The league is being viewed as a possible lifeline for a sport that has faced financial insecurity, lower visibility and administrative uncertainty for several years. Its supporters say it could provide regular income for players and a platform for rebuilding hockey from the grassroots level. Whether it can do so will depend largely on how it is run and funded.
Players and coaches back the idea of domestic competition
Pakistan hockey star Abdul Hannan Shahid has described the proposed league as a step in the right direction and said it is what the game currently needs. He noted that Pakistani players feature for leading clubs around the world and are well regarded internationally. In his view, showing that standard of hockey to domestic audiences could help win back fans who no longer follow the national team.
Hannan said the league could allow fans to see national players performing at home and develop a renewed interest in the sport among young people. He also pointed to the value of having foreign players in the competition, saying it could benefit both junior and senior players. Pakistan hockey team coach Bob Veldhof has likewise stressed the importance of domestic competition, particularly for younger players who need experience against established internationals.
Pakistan has produced players capable of competing at the highest level, but the domestic structure has struggled to offer them consistent opportunities, financial security and the public recognition their performances merit. Those involved in the discussion argue that a well-organised league could address all three gaps at once.
Financial insecurity remains the biggest challenge
Financial insecurity has long been one of the most persistent problems for Pakistan’s hockey players. They receive daily allowances during camps and tournaments, but these payments do not provide the stability of regular salaries. Unlike players in countries such as Australia, India and New Zealand, Pakistani players generally do not have a comparable system of central contracts.
Match fees, another possible source of income, are also largely absent. Some players earn money through overseas leagues, and others hold departmental jobs that offer a degree of security. These opportunities are limited, however, and not open to everyone. For many players, especially those outside the established senior setup, building a sustainable career in hockey remains difficult.
A domestic league could create a much-needed income stream. If franchises invest in their squads, pay players fairly and operate under clear contracts, the benefits could reach beyond a small group of established stars. Younger players could gain paid opportunities, and a wider pool of talent might begin to see hockey as a viable career rather than something sustained through personal sacrifice.
Structure and past failures shape the league’s prospects
The outcome will depend heavily on the league’s structure. Player payments must be a priority from the outset rather than an afterthought. Contracts should be transparent, payments should be made on time, and safeguards should be in place to protect players if a franchise runs into trouble. A competition that attracts attention but leaves its participants struggling financially would fail to solve one of the problems it is meant to address.
Sustainability is another concern. Pakistan has tried to launch a hockey league before. The Max was introduced around four years ago, but the project was shelved before it could get off the ground. That experience is a reminder that announcing a league and running one successfully are very different tasks.
There are, however, some grounds for cautious optimism. Wani, who also serves as federal secretary at the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, has government backing. Since taking charge of the PHF earlier this year, he has sought to bring private-sector sponsors into the hockey ecosystem. He has acknowledged that the government cannot fund every sports federation indefinitely and has argued that private investment is essential, particularly for a national sport such as hockey. Under the proposed arrangement, private partners would raise funds and invest in the league.
The league must serve the wider sport
Government support can provide institutional backing, but the league will need more than public funding and the commitment of a few individuals. Its success will depend on credible investors, commercially attractive teams, professional management and a business model that can survive beyond the first season. The PHF will also need to ensure the league complements its broader development programme.
Clear pathways for junior players to reach the top domestic level would be essential, so that the competition does not become an isolated annual event benefiting only the most prominent players. Investment in grassroots hockey, coaching, facilities and women’s hockey will also need to continue alongside the professional league.
The national team’s return to the World Cup in 2026, after an eight-year absence, showed that progress is possible after years without qualification. That achievement, it is argued, should be followed by structural reforms that give players the resources to sustain their development. The league alone will not replace central contracts, introduce match fees across the national setup or repair years of institutional neglect, and it cannot guarantee that crowds will return. It could, however, serve as a starting point for generating revenue, rewarding players and exposing young talent to high-level competition.
The real test will come after the launch events are over. Organisers will need to secure long-term investment, deliver a professionally run competition, ensure players receive the financial rewards they have long been denied, and create lasting opportunities for the next generation.
