Pak set to bar hockey team from India events
The Pakistan government is likely to reject a request from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) to allow the national team to compete in two major hockey events in India, citing escalating political tensions between the two countries.
Pakistan is scheduled to participate in the Asia Cup, set to be held in Rajgir, India, from 27 August to 7 September. The PHF has formally sought clearance from the government to send the squad. Later this year, Pakistan is also due to compete in the FIH (International Hockey Federation) Junior World Cup, scheduled for November in Chennai. However, sources said the Shahbaz Sharif-led coalition government is unlikely to grant permission.
A senior official told Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net), "There is no chance the Sharif-led government will allow the national hockey team to travel in this geo-political situation."
According to sources, members of the coalition government believe it would be unsafe to send the team after the recent military flare-up between the neighbours Sources indicated that if the government declines permission, the PHF plans to formally request the FIH and Asian Hockey Federation to relocate both events to a neutral venue such as Malaysia or Oman.
The official said: "PHF will try to get the events out of India, but there are very slim chances of that happening because Malaysia and Oman do not have the funds to bid for the tournaments, which require close to 100,000 dollars.
Pakistan last toured India in 2023 for the Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth among six teams, with India winning the title. No security incidents were reported during that tournament.
Reports from India have suggested that their sports ministry was prepared to grant Pakistan permission to participate, and Hockey India confirmed it already had approvals from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Home Ministry.
But ever since these reports surfaced, sections of the Indian media have launched scathing criticism of the clearance, fueling serious apprehension within Pakistan's sporting circles.