STARS AND STRIPS

HAWAII BOWL

The National Football League and union representing its players confirmed last week the Pro Bowl will be played next year in Hawaii. The fate of the game was uncertain as NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell had said earlier this year that scrapping the exhibition was a possibility after the 2012 edition drew criticism for a lack of intensity and many players opting out. ‘‘We have had many discussions with the players in recent years about the Pro Bowl and they recognise that the quality of the game has not been up to NFL standards,’’ Ray Anderson, the league’s executive vice president of football operations, said in a statement. ‘‘We look forward to working with the players toward the goal of improving the competitiveness of this season’s game.’’