Indian men's hockey team to join FIH Pro League next year

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.

Welcoming India back in the league, the international hockey federation (FIH) said the move has been supported by other participating countries.

"...India's men team will join the FIH Pro League from 2020 on, as was unanimously supported by the other participating National Associations," the FIH said in a statement after its Executive Board meeting.

In July 2017, Hockey India had decided to withdraw both the men's and women's national teams from the competition.

HI never gave any official reason for the decision but it was speculated that the inferior ranking of the women's team prompted India to pullout from both the competitions as there was no option to take out just one team
"Furthermore, FIH would like to thank all participating National Associations who, by agreeing on a common scheme for the 2020 and 2021 calendars, have once again shown the solidarity of the global hockey community and their utmost will to grow the sport together."