Indian women’s hockey team relegated from FIH Pro League

Indian women’s hockey team’s relegation from the FIH Pro League was confirmed on Sunday even before its last match of the season against China as Germany beat England 4-2.

India, placed last amongst nine teams with just 10 points in 15 matches, needed England to win against Germany in order to have a mathematical possibility of staying in the Pro League next season.

Germany only needed a draw against England to ensure safety but a brace from Stine Kurz, and one goal each from skipper Lisa Nolte and Johanna Hachenberg meant that the side, led by former Indian head coach Janneke Schopman, finished above England (14 points) in seventh spot with 16 points.

India will play in the FIH Nations Cup next season where the winner will be guaranteed a spot in the 2026-27 season of the FIH Pro League.

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India made its Pro League debut in 2021-22 season as one of the two replacement teams after New Zealand and Australia pulled out due to COVID-19 pandeminc.

By winning the inaugural FIH Nations Cup in Spain in December 2022, it was officially promoted to the Pro League for the 2023-24 edition where it finished eighth.

However, in the 2024-25 season, the side led by Salima Tete and coached by Harendra Singh has managed only two wins, and three draws while losing 10 games.

The relegation from the Pro League is a major setback for the team as it prepares for the Asia Cup, set to take place in Hangzhou from September 5-14, the winner of which automatically qualifies for next year’s World Cup.