Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a cash reward of Rs1.5 million [$5,357] for each member of the men’s national hockey team on Monday, his office said after the Green Shirts qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
Pakistan pulled off a last-gasp 4-3 victory over Japan last week during the Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Egypt. The thrilling win ensured Pakistan secured a place for itself in the World Cup tournament, scheduled to be held in August this year in Belgium and Netherlands.
“Prime Minister Mohammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced a cash reward of Rs1.5 million [$5,357] for each player of the national hockey team in recognition of their outstanding performance in the World Cup qualifiers,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
“This move is not only a recognition of the team’s hard work and dedication to the game but also a major step toward the promotion of hockey in Pakistan.” Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport but the country, a three-time Olympic champion and four-time World Cup winner, has fallen to as low as 12th in the international rankings.
The qualification takes place weeks after controversy took hold of the national men’s hockey team last month. Pakistan’s hockey team endured a harrowing tour of Australia in February, with captain Ammad Shakeel Butt accusing the team management and the Pakistan Hockey Federation of mismanagement and mental abuse.
Butt said players were forced to carry out menial tasks including cleaning kitchens, washing dishes and clothes, as well as scrubbing washrooms while on tour. Pakistan ranked 12th when they last played a World Cup in 2018 and have also not qualified for the last three Olympics.
Pakistan’s hockey journey is marked by past glory and ongoing efforts to revive the sport. Once a dominant force, the country won three Olympic gold medals in 1960, 1968 and 1984, along with four World Cups in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994, and produced legendary players such as Shahbaz Ahmed and Samiullah Khan.
However, poor management, inadequate infrastructure, and the rise of cricket from the late 1990s contributed to a steady decline. Pakistan also struggled to adapt to modern demands of the sport, including higher fitness standards and the shift to artificial turf, further deepening the crisis.