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News18
7 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Pakistan Hockey Team Invited To Join FIH Pro League After New Zealand Withdrawal
Last Updated: New Zealand withdrew from the FIH Hockey Pro League Men's 2025–26 season, prompting the FIH to invite runners-up Pakistan, who must confirm participation by August 12. Following New Zealand's decision to withdraw from the upcoming FIH Hockey Pro League Men's 2025–26 season—despite having secured victory in the FIH Hockey Nations Cup last month—the International Hockey Federation (FIH) has extended an invitation to the tournament runners-up, Pakistan, in accordance with its regulations. The Pakistan Hockey Association has been given a deadline of August 12 to confirm whether they will accept or decline the invitation. The recently concluded 2024–25 FIH Hockey Pro League saw both Dutch national teams—men's and women's—claim the championship titles. The forthcoming season will mark the seventh edition of the league. India has suspended all bilateral sporting engagements with Pakistan since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it attributed to Pakistan-based militants. Pakistan's last visit to India was for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, where they finished fifth out of six competing teams. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated significantly in May during a four-day conflict that resulted in 70 fatalities, marking the worst violence between the two nations in decades. Pakistan had been scheduled to participate in the Asia Cup, set to be hosted in India next month. However, participation is now uncertain as the Pakistan Hockey Federation awaits government clearance to travel. 'After the recent war, the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk," a source from Pakistan's sports ministry told AFP. The same source confirmed that Pakistan would also skip the Junior World Cup, scheduled to be held in India this November. Once a dominant powerhouse in international hockey—with three Olympic gold medals and four World Cup titles—Pakistan has since declined to 15th in the global rankings. Pakistan's potential absence from the Asia Cup could jeopardize their qualification for the 2026 senior World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. A second government official confirmed the decision to AFP. view comments First Published: July 23, 2025, 19:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
16-07-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Deepika becomes first Indian to win the Poligras Magic Skill Award
New Delhi, July 16 (UNI) Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Deepika created history by becoming the first-ever Indian player to win the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award as hockey fans from across the globe voted for her sensational solo field goal against the Netherlands during the Bhubaneswar leg of the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season. The 21-year-old attacker earned global recognition for her breathtaking run and finish in the 35th minute during India's match against World No.1 the Netherlands which they won in a shootout after a 2-2 draw. With India trailing 0-2, Deepika cut through the Dutch defence down the left flank, dribbled along the baseline, dinked the ball over a defender's stick, and finished it past the goalkeeper to open the scoring for India. The Poligras Magic Skill Award celebrates the most creative and skillful moments in the FIH Hockey Pro League and is voted by fans worldwide. Deepika's goal was one of three women's nominations alongside Spain's Patricia Alvarez and Australia's women's team. The winner was decided entirely through a global fan vote, and Deepika emerged as the favourite, making a landmark achievement for Indian hockey. The men's award was won by Belgium's Victor Wegnez for his midfield brilliance which led to a team goal against Spain. Upon winning the award, an elated Deepika said, "I am truly honoured to have won this award. Scoring that goal against a challenging opponent like The Netherlands was truly a special moment for me and now receiving this recognition means a lot. I thank my teammates, coaches, family and friends who continue to support and inspire me everyday." "This award isn't just mine, it's belong to Indian hockey. Let's keep pushing forward together," she added. UNI RKM
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Women's Hockey forward Deepika becomes first Indian to wins Magic Skill award
Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Deepika became the first-ever Indian player to win the prestigious Poligras Magic Skill Award for her sensational solo field goal in the FIH Hockey Pro League last season. The 21-year-old attacker earned global recognition for her breathtaking run and finish in the 35th minute during India's match against World No.1 the Netherlands in Bhubaneswar, which the visitors won in a shootout after a 2-2 draw. With India trailing 0-2, Deepika cut through the Dutch defence down the left flank, dribbled along the baseline, dinked the ball over a defender's stick, and finished it past the goalkeeper to open the scoring for India. The Poligras Magic Skill Award celebrates the most creative and skilful moments in the FIH Hockey Pro League and is voted by fans worldwide. The winner was decided entirely through a global fan vote, and Deepika emerged as the favourite, making a landmark achievement for Indian hockey. ALSO READ: India A men's hockey team loses a close 2-3 match against England 'I am truly honoured to have won this award. Scoring that goal against a challenging opponent like the Netherlands was truly a special moment for me, and now receiving this recognition means a lot. I thank my teammates, coaches, family and friends who continue to support and inspire me every day.' 'This award isn't just mine, it belongs to Indian hockey. Let's keep pushing forward together,' she added. The men's award was won by Belgium's Victor Wegnez for his midfield brilliance, which led to a team goal against Spain.
India Gazette
06-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Deepika's brilliant field goal against Netherlands nominated for Poligras Magic Skill Award
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Indian Women's Hockey Team forward Deepika has been nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award for her incredible solo field goal against World No.1, the Netherlands during the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season, as per a press release from Hockey India. The nominations for the Poligras Magic Skill Award for the 2024/25 FIH Hockey Pro League season were released on Friday, and the deadline to vote is 14th July at 3:29 a.m. IST. The winner will be announced once the voting ends. The winner of the Poligras Magic Skill Award is decided by hockey fans across the world based on who they think had the best moment and goal during the season. Deepika's iconic moment took place in February 2025 during the Bhubaneswar leg of the FIH Hockey Pro League when the Indian Team defeated the Netherlands in the shootout after a 2-2 draw at the Kalinga Stadium. In the 35th minute, Deepika scored an amazing field goal as India were trailing by two goals. In the 35th minute, Deepika dribbled down the left flank brilliantly as she went around the Netherlands' backline, kissed the baseline, dinked the ball over a defender's stick and finished the move with a wonderful strike past the keeper and into the net. 'That goal against the Netherlands is one of the most special moments of my career. Everything just clicked and it helped us equalise and win the game in shootout. I'm honoured to be nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award and grateful for the support of our fans. Moments like these are what we train so hard for. Your votes and support motivate me to keep pushing my limits and give it my all for India. I also want to thank my coaches, the support staff, and most importantly, my teammates for their constant encouragement and belief in me,' the 21-year-old prolific attacker said as quoted by a press release from Hockey India. Apart from Deepika's goal, the women nominees for the Poligras Magic Skill Award feature two more wonderful flashes of brilliance on the field. Patricia Alvarez's incredible 3D Skills and goal for Spain against Australia has made the cut. Patricia showed brilliant technique to win the ball and juggle the ball with her stick over the rushing goalkeeper and found the net. The third nomination is for the wonderful team goal by Australia's women's team against England. The Hockeyroos orchestrated a brilliant passage of play with five passes in the opposing half and a brilliant strike into the goal. (ANI)
News18
06-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Deepika's Goal Against Netherlands Nominated For Poligras Magic Skill Award
Last Updated: Indian women's hockey forward Deepika has been nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award for her solo field goal against the Netherlands in the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League. Indian women's hockey team forward Deepika has been nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award for her remarkable solo field goal against world No.1, the Netherlands, during the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season. The nominations for the Poligras Magic Skill Award for the 2024-25 FIH Hockey Pro League season were released on Friday, with the voting deadline set for July 14 at 3:29 AM IST. The winner will be determined by hockey fans worldwide, who will vote for the best moment and goal of the season. Deepika's iconic moment occurred in February 2025 during the Bhubaneswar leg of the Pro League when India defeated the Netherlands in a shootout following a 2-2 draw at the Kalinga Stadium. In the 35th minute, Deepika scored an exceptional field goal while India was trailing by two goals. Deepika brilliantly dribbled down the left flank, bypassed the Netherlands' defence, approached the baseline, lifted the ball over a defender's stick, and completed the move with a superb strike past the keeper into the net. 'That goal against the Netherlands is one of the most special moments of my career. Everything just clicked and it helped us equalise and win the game in shootout. I'm honoured to be nominated for the Poligras Magic Skill Award and grateful for the support of our fans. Moments like these are what we train so hard for. Your votes and support motivates me to keep pushing my limits and give it my all for India. I also want to thank my coaches, the support staff, and most importantly, my teammates for their constant encouragement and belief in me," the 21-year-old prolific attacker said. Spaniard Patricia Alvarez's incredible 3D skills and goal against Australia made the list. Patricia displayed brilliant technique to win, juggle the ball with her stick over the rushing goalkeeper, and score. The third nomination is for Australia's magnificent team goal against England. The Hockeyroos executed a brilliant sequence with five passes in the opposing half, culminating in a strike into the goal. First Published: July 06, 2025, 15:56 IST
