Given recent political and military tensions between the two countries, the government seems prepared to turn down a request from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), making it doubtful that Pakistan’s national hockey team will visit India this year for two important events.
Pakistan is now slated to compete in the FIH Junior World Cup in Chennai in November as well as the Men’s Asia Cup, which will be held in Rajgir, India, from August 27 to September 7. However, according to a number of sources, the federal government is not willing to authorise the team’s trip to India at this time.
The Pakistani hockey team “has no chance” of being permitted to participate in these competitions, a senior official told Telecom Asia Sport, particularly in light of recent military clashes that resulted in a four-day battle.
According to reports, the PHF had requested permission to send the national team to India. Should the government reject this request, the federation intends to ask the International Hockey Federation (FIH) and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to move the tournaments to a neutral nation, such as Malaysia or Oman.
Although the news has been welcomed by former Olympians, Pakistan’s possible non-participation could have dire repercussions. The upcoming Men’s Hockey World Cup qualifies players through the Asia Cup.
Pakistan has the possibility of missing the 2023 World Cup, which was hosted in India.
Since winning the inaugural Junior World Cup in 1979, Pakistan has not taken home the trophy. With the next generation of players at their peak at the correct time, withdrawal from the competition could impede their progress.
The last time the Pakistani hockey team visited India was for the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai in 2023, when there were no reported security concerns. However, such excursions now appear to be nearly impossible given the current political environment.
Although the Pakistani hockey squad would suffer from missing both competitions, the government has stated that Pakistan’s integrity will not be compromised.
