The International Hockey Federation (FIH) announced on Sunday morning that Hockey India (HI) have withdrawn from the global home-and-away Pro League, announced earlier in June. The tournament is set to run from January to June annually, with the first edition set for 2019.
The FIH is currently headed by Narinder Batra, who was previously the HI president.
India had been included in both the men's and women's competitions, which are set to field nine of the best teams from around the world, with Pakistan in the men's division to host their home matches in Scotland.
HI were unavailable for comment on what prompted this decision to withdraw both teams from the Pro League, though recent media reports about the uncertainty around the future of the Hockey India League (HIL), which the game's governing body have denied, could have played a role. The HIL runs for about a month between January and February each year, and it would have been difficult to keep a window clear for the league with the best players unavailable between January and June each year.
The decision comes at a time when the world governing body has not just increased the number of top events in men's hockey being held in India -- between 2010 and 2018, India would have hosted two of three World Cups, two successive junior World Cups, one Champions Trophy and all three Finals of the World League -- but also has seen a growth in sponsorship in world hockey from India-based corporate houses.
The decision could hit the women's game harder, with the 12th-ranked Indian team, which is currently in South Africa hoping to qualify for the World Cup in London next year, getting deprived of a chance of regular matches against higher-ranked opposition such as Argentina, Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand and England/Great Britain.
Following India's withdrawal, FIH is likely to include any one of Ireland, Malaysia or Spain in the men's Pro League fold. The women's spot will be taken by any one of Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Japan or Spain. FIH are likely to finalise the course of action soon, as their media release stated that the first Pro League workshop will take place in the FIH headquarters in Lausanne later this month.