Pakistan hockey officials and team captain have welcomed reports from India suggesting their national team will be allowed to compete in the upcoming Asia Cup, but stressed that any participation will hinge on approval from Islamabad.
Indian media, citing sports ministry sources, reported that Pakistan’s hockey team will face no hurdles in travelling to India for the tournament, scheduled in Rajgir, Bihar from August 29 to September 7. According to the Press Trust of India, the Indian sports ministry has already secured permissions from both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of External Affairs.
The Asia Cup is a crucial event for Pakistan hockey, serving as a qualifying tournament for next year’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
We have to wait and see to ascertain the credibility, but surely these are positive developments. However, let me make it clear—our participation will depend on clearance from the government.
The backdrop of the situation remains tense. Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated sharply last month following attacks on Indian soil in Pahalgam that killed 22 tourists. Accusations, retaliatory drone strikes, and near-war escalations followed, before a ceasefire was brokered with international mediation.
Given this context, PHF officials had already written to the Asian Hockey Federation and the International Hockey Federation, seeking guarantees that players would receive the necessary visas not only for the Asia Cup but also for the FIH Junior World Cup, which India’s Tamil Nadu state will host in November.
This is good news for not only Pakistan hockey but also for the international game. Our participation will still depend on government clearance, and we look forward to that.
Zaman added that players have been instructed to stay ready despite the uncertainty. “We are planning to hold a preparation camp for the Asia Cup, and even at this stage, players have been told to keep working on their fitness at home.”
Team captain Ammad Shakeel Butt also welcomed the reports and expressed hope that sporting ties between the two nations could begin to improve.
We welcome this and hope to get ready for the event as and when we get the permission. Last month, he publicly appealed for the restoration of sporting ties between India and Pakistan.
For now, Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign hangs on official clearances—but the signals from both sides appear more positive than they have in years.
