LAHORE: Pakistan are likely to miss the upcoming Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in India after the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) declined to send the national team over security concerns, sources said on Thursday.
Bangladesh are likely to replace Pakistan in the six-team tournament. The Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) is expected to formally announce the decision on Friday, according to sources.
India are scheduled to host the tournament from October 27 to November 5, with matches set to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali.
PHF Raises Security Concerns
The PHF had requested that the tournament be shifted to a neutral venue or that Pakistan’s matches be played at a neutral venue.
However, Hockey India rejected the request and maintained that there would be no changes to the tournament schedule or venues.
The PHF subsequently informed the AHF that it was not willing to send the national team to India under the prevailing circumstances.
PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said the decision was taken due to the sensitive bilateral situation and security concerns between Pakistan and India.
He said the safety and dignity of Pakistan’s players and officials remained the federation’s priority.
Wani reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Asian Champions Trophy and the development of hockey. He said the national team remained ready to compete against all FIH member nations, including India.
The PHF president also stressed the importance of keeping sports separate from politics.
India Expected Pakistan to Participate
The development came a day after Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Pakistan was expected to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy.
Mann said India’s policy allows neighbouring countries to compete in multinational sporting events, while bilateral series between India and Pakistan remain restricted.
“There is no problem in multinational tournaments. Maybe individual series between India and Pakistan cannot take place,” Mann said when asked about the necessary clearances for Pakistan’s participation.
India Enter as Defending Champions
The Asian Champions Trophy is organised under the Asian Hockey Federation and has traditionally been held annually, although no edition was staged last year.
India will enter the tournament as defending champions after winning the 2023 edition in Chennai and retaining the title in 2024 in Hulunbuir, China.
Pakistan had also withdrawn from the Junior World Cup hockey tournament in Tamil Nadu last year, citing heightened tensions between the two countries.
