The Indian men’s hockey team will join the FIH Pro League next year after pulling out of the inaugural edition, which began in January.
WelcomingIndia back in the league, the international hockey federation (FIH) said themove has been supported by other participating countries.
“…India’smen team will join the FIH Pro League from 2020 on, as was unanimouslysupported by the other participating National Associations,” the FIH said in astatement after its Executive Board meeting.
InJuly 2017, Hockey India had decided to withdraw both the men’s and women’snational teams from the competition.
HInever gave any official reason for the decision but it was speculated that theinferior ranking of the women’s team prompted India to pullout from both thecompetitions as there was no option to take out just one team Hockey India alsobelieved that the country had better chances of qualifying for the Olympics viathe Hockey World League.
In the inaugural Pro-League which began in January, nine teams are competing in a round-robin tournament with home and away matches till June. The top four teams will earn a ticket to the FIH’s Olympic Qualification events.