Pakistan staff (left) celebrates after scoring a objective throughout the Asian Champions Trophy match in opposition to China on September 12, 2024. In the meantime, Pakistan hockey staff head coach Tahir Zaman speaks to the media in Lahore on July 29, 2025. — Asian Hockey Federation/Reporter
LAHORE: Pakistan hockey staff head coach Tahir Zaman on Wednesday emphasised the significance of taking part within the FIH Professional League, calling it important for securing a spot within the prime 10 of the world rankings.
Talking to the media in Lahore, Tahir identified that the nationwide staff’s lack of expertise in opposition to prime tier sides is a serious purpose behind its underwhelming performances.
“We aren’t taking part in in opposition to prime groups in the mean time. Our gamers lack the expertise, and that’s why at any time when we face a higher-ranked facet in a remaining or any necessary match, we battle.
“This has been clearly evident at each the senior and junior ranges over the previous couple of years,” he stated.
Tahir harassed that common participation within the Professional League is essential, because it not solely helps enhance rankings but in addition provides gamers priceless match expertise.
“To strengthen gamers mentally and provides them publicity, it’s important to play in opposition to prime groups. We can not enhance except we play these ranked above us.
“Even when we endure heavy defeats within the Professional League, it’s a essential funding to stay among the many prime ten nations,” he added.
The pinnacle coach expressed optimism that Pakistan’s participation within the FIH Professional League would additionally assist qualification for world tournaments.
“If we play simply two seasons of the Professional League, I’m assured our world rating will considerably enhance. It’s not nearly rating; the Professional League additionally contributes on to qualification for world occasions,” Tahir remarked.
He clarified the misperception in regards to the occasion being house and away with excessively excessive bills.
“That mannequin has modified now. Prices have come down significantly. Earlier, one season might price round Rs 350 million, however now, groups now not have to journey to one another’s international locations beneath the home-and-away format,” he defined.
“No staff is coming to Pakistan for the Professional League, however we will play on a home-and-away foundation inside mini-tournaments, more likely to be held in Argentina or Europe.
“The general bills of the Professional League have dropped considerably, this must be understood clearly,” he concluded.
Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo Information.
