The Pakistan government is highly 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.
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. Following a terrorist attack on 22 April in Pahalgam on the Indian side of Kashmir, India launched missile and drone strikes on Pakistan on 7 May. Pakistan responded with retaliatory action before a four-day conflict ended in a ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump.
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.
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, fuelling serious apprehension within Pakistan’s sporting circles.
Opposition to the idea of sending the hockey team to India has already begun to gather momentum. Rana Mashood, head of Prime Minister Shahbaz’s Youth Affairs programme, fired the first salvo on Friday.
We wish that the Pakistan hockey team would defeat India on their own soil, just as we defeated them in the war, but after the recent tension, it would not be conducive to send the team.
Mashood wields significant influence over sports policy. Last year, he played a key role in helping the PHF secure a grant of forty million rupees.
After the recent conflict, Pakistan should not send its team to India because it will not be safe and we cannot trust India. The PHF must demand that the events be shifted.
Non-participation could come at a steep price. The Asia Cup doubles as a qualifying event for next year’s World Cup. Pakistan failed to qualify for the 2023 edition, which was also hosted by India. The country has also not won the Junior World Cup since clinching the inaugural title back in 1979.
Pakistan head coach Tahir Zaman said the players remain focused despite the uncertainty. “Our players are training separately and we are waiting for government permission. Our preparations will be complete, but it’s a government decision which we will follow,” he said.
