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NDTV
11-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Pakistan Government Unlikely To Allow Hockey Teams to Travel To India For Asia Cup, Junior World Cup: Report
The Pakistan government is highly likely to turn down a request from the hockey federation to allow the senior and junior teams to feature in two upcoming events in India due to political tension following the Pahalgam attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor. Pakistan is scheduled to participate in the Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, for which the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought the government's clearance. Pakistan is also due to participate in the FIH Junior World Cup, to be played in Chennai in November-December this year. 'There is no chance the Shahzab Sharif-led government will permit the national hockey team in this geo-political situation,' a senior official told Telecom Asia Sport. Sources said members of the coalition government believe it will not be safe to send the team after the armed clashes between the two neighbours. Following a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, India launched missile and drone strikes on Pakistan on May 7. Pakistan also responded with air strikes and drone attacks before the four-day conflict ended in a ceasefire. Sources said after hearing an emphatic 'No' from the government, the Pakistan Hockey Federation will demand that FIH and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) relocate the events to a neutral venue like Malaysia or Oman. 'PHF will try to get the events out of India, but there are very slim chances of that coming about as Malaysia and Oman do not have the requisite money to bid for the events, which is close to 100K dollars,' said PHF sources. Pakistan last toured India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth amongst six teams, with India winning the event. No untoward incident happened during the event. Recent reports from India suggested that the authorities were willing to allow Pakistan to feature in the hockey events. Hockey India had also said they have permission from the MEA and the Home Ministry. But ever since the reports surfaced, the Indian media has launched scathing attacks on the permission, which has caused serious apprehensions in Pakistan. Opposition to Pakistan sending the hockey team to India has already started. PM Shahbaz's Youth Affairs program chief Rana Mashood fired the first salvo on Friday. 'We wish that the Pakistan hockey team also defeat India in their den, but after the recent tension, it would not be conducive to send the team to India,' Mashood said in a media talk in Karachi. Mashood has a strong say in the government's decisions on sports and last year helped the Pakistan Hockey Federation to get forty million rupees in a grant to prepare the team for their year's FIH Nations Cup. Olympian Hanif Khan said Pakistan should be allowed to play on a neutral venue. 'After the recent war, Pakistan should not send its team to India because it will not be safe, and we cannot trust India. PHF must demand to host the event in a neutral venue.' Pakistan's non-participation will cost them in a big way as the Asia Cup is a qualifying event for next year's World Cup. Pakistan did not qualify for the 2023 World Cup held in India. They have also not won the Junior World Cup after their win in the inaugural event in 1979. Pakistan hockey team head coach Tahir Zaman said his players are under training. 'Our players are training separately, and we are waiting for government permission. Our preparation will be complete, but it's a government decision which we will follow.'
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Hockey: Pakistan to send teams to India for Asia Cup, Junior World Cup after reviewing security threats
Pakistan is set to review the security situation in India before taking a call on sending its national men's hockey team to the neighbouring country for the upcoming Asia Cup and Junior World Cup later this year. A top government official has said that the national team will not be sent to India if there are security threats to them. Rana Mashood, the chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Development and Sports Program, said that Pakistan would travel to India for the tournaments if the government was totally satisfied with the security situation. 'The government will review the security situation in India for Pakistani nationals, and if it is not satisfied, it will not put any of our players at risk by sending them to play in India,' Mashood, a former minister, said. ALSO READ: Exposure is key, says Malaysian junior hockey coach Nor Saiful Zaini ahead of MCC-Murugappa Gold Cup He pointed out that after India's Operation Sindoor, the situation is not safe for Pakistani nationals to travel to India. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought advice and permission from concerned ministries to send national teams for the two major hockey events scheduled in India, with next month's Asia Cup also serving as a qualifier for the next World Cup in 2026. Rana Mujahid, the secretary-general of PHF, admitted that in the past, Pakistan had taken part in some international events in India. 'But as of now, the situation is different, relations are strained, so we can only move forward when the government gives us clearance,' he said. He pointed out that the PHF was keeping a watch on threats being issued to the hockey team players on social media.
NDTV
11-07-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Pakistan To Send Hockey Team To India For Asia Cup And WC After Security Review
Pakistan is set to review the security situation in India before taking a call on sending its national hockey team to the neighbouring country for the upcoming Asia Cup and Junior World Cup later this year. A top government official has said that the national team will not be sent to India if there are security threats to them. Rana Mashood, who is the chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Development and Sports Program, said that Pakistan would travel to India for the tournaments if the government was totally satisfied with the security situation. "The government will review the security situation in India for Pakistani nationals and if it is not satisfied it will not put any of our players at risk by sending them to play in India," Mashood, a former minister said. He pointed out that after India's Operation Sindoor, the situation is not safe for Pakistani nationals to travel to India. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought advice and permission from concerned ministries to send national teams for the two major hockey events scheduled in India with next month's Asia Cup also serving as a qualifier for the next World Cup in 2026. Rana Mujahid, the secretary-general of PHF, admitted that in the past Pakistan had taken part in some international events in India. "But as of now the situation is different, relations are strained so we can only move forward when the government gives us clearance," he said. He pointed out that the PHF was keeping a watch on threats being issued to the hockey team players on social media.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pakistan to send hockey team to India for Asia Cup, WC after reviewing security threats
KARACHI: Pakistan is set to review the security situation in India before taking a call on sending its national hockey team to the neighbouring country for the upcoming Asia Cup and Junior World Cup later this year. A top government official has said that the national team will not be sent to India if there are security threats to them. Rana Mashood, who is the chairman of Prime Minister's Youth Development and Sports Program, said that Pakistan would travel to India for the tournaments if the government was totally satisfied with the security situation. "The government will review the security situation in India for Pakistani nationals and if it is not satisfied it will not put any of our players at risk by sending them to play in India," Mashood, a former minister said. He pointed out that after India's Operation Sindoor, the situation is not safe for Pakistani nationals to travel to India. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought advice and permission from concerned ministries to send national teams for the two major hockey events scheduled in India with next month's Asia Cup also serving as a qualifier for the next World Cup in 2026. Rana Mujahid, the secretary-general of PHF, admitted that in the past Pakistan had taken part in some international events in India. "But as of now the situation is different, relations are strained so we can only move forward when the government gives us clearance," he said. He pointed out that the PHF was keeping a watch on threats being issued to the hockey team players on social media.
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan to review security threats before sending hockey team to India for Asia Cup and World Cup
Pakistan is set to review the security situation in India before deciding whether to send its national hockey team for the upcoming Asia Cup and Junior World Cup later this year. A top government official has said that the national team will not be sent to India if there are security threats to them. Rana Mashood, who is the chairman of Prime Minister's Youth Development and Sports Program, said that Pakistan would travel to India for the tournaments if the government was totally satisfied with the security situation. "The government will review the security situation in India for Pakistani nationals and if it is not satisfied it will not put any of our players at risk by sending them to play in India," Mashood, a former minister said. He pointed out that after India's Operation Sindoor, the situation is not safe for Pakistani nationals to travel to India. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has sought advice and permission from concerned ministries to send national teams for the two major hockey events scheduled in India with next month's Asia Cup also serving as a qualifier for the next World Cup in 2026. Rana Mujahid, the secretary-general of PHF, admitted that in the past Pakistan had taken part in some international events in India. "But as of now the situation is different, relations are strained so we can only move forward when the government gives us clearance," he said. He pointed out that the PHF was keeping a watch on threats being issued to the hockey team players on social media.
