Wednesday, January 21, 2026

‘How are we meant to grow?’: South Africa hockey men lambast Pro League decision

The Hockey Paper reports on a trying week for South Africa men after its national association withdrew the team from the next FIH Pro League, while over 10,000 sign petition

“Cassiem brothers show the talent is there, hockey needs a brave sponsor”, rang out the headline from South Africa’s Sunday Times newspaper. Other headlines and opinion pieces were more damning. The hard truth? The South Africa Hockey Association (SAHA) was unable to find the circa £461,000 to compete in the FIH Pro League which the men had qualified for shortly before Christmas. 

Their semi-pro players had not been told and they were not shy in raising the issue in public either. “Disappointed, frustrated and broken at the fact that SA Hockey has decided to pull out of the Pro League,” said captain Dayaan Cassiem.

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