Promotion and relegation is all set to be introduced in FIH Pro League as the International Hockey Federation hopes to make the event more competitive. The fourth season of the tournament will be starting from next week and over the past three seasons the teams have more or less been using the Pro League matches to test their bench strength and prepare themselves for the bigger tournaments. But with the introduction of the new rules, one can expect teams to take the event more seriously. As FIH CEO Thierry Weil said it will give 'real meaning' to the tournament.
Speaking during a virtual press conference on Friday, Weil further said that the tournament will also act as a qualification for World Cup and the Olympics from the coming seasons.
"Teams topping the Nations League starting this season will be promoted into the Pro League while the teams finishing last in the Pro League this season will be relegated. Also, the teams topping the Pro League will be able to qualify for the World Cup and the Olympics from the fifth season onwards," said Weil on Friday.
As a result, the teams topping the Pro League in the fifth and the sixth edition will qualify for World Cup while the toppers of seventh and eighth edition will grab berths for Paris Olympics. He, however, clarified that the teams winning the continental events will still be able to qualify for the Olympics as has been the case for long.
Also keeping in mind, the huge amount of travelling that the teams had to do because of the 'home and away format' that was earlier in place, a new format has been introduced from this season onwards where three teams will be playing two matches against each opponent at one venue in what FIH are calling 'mini tournaments'.
Chartered flights for teams at World Cup
With the 2023 Men's Hockey World Cup starting January 13 set to be held in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela, there are a lot of concerns over the travelling that the teams will have to undertake. Weil, however, brushed aside such apprehensions saying chartered flights will be arranged to take the teams to and from between the two cities. He also pointed out that despite some teams having to travel more than others, none has made any objection regarding the schedule.
Meanwhile, Birsa Munda International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela, which will host India's opening World Cup game against Spain on January 13 next year, will host a test event in January between India and some other team.
Hockey India League to come back?
FIH CEO also confirmed he has received in writing from Hockey India (HI) its wish to hold Hockey India League (HIL) once again and the two bodies will be looking into the international calendar for the best possible time to hold it. Moreover, there are also plans to host a HIL for the women - albeit on a smaller scale. If it does happen it would be a huge boost for the women's team which has been making steady progress over the past few years.
