Latest news with #PakistanHockeyFederation
News18
21-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
'No Problems Playing Pakistan But...': Sports Minister On India's Stand Post Terror Attack
Last Updated: India will host Asia Cup hockey, FIH Junior World Cup and junior shooting World Cup this year where Pakistani participation is expected. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reaffirmed the government's stance that Pakistan's participation in international sports events held in India will not be hindered, despite the strained relations that worsened after the Pahalgam terror attack in April. The major events where Pakistani participation is expected include next month's men's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Bihar, the FIH Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu in November-December, and the junior shooting World Cup in New Delhi in September-October. Mandaviya stated, 'Our stand is clear. We don't have any problems playing with Pakistan in any international sporting event, be it cricket, hockey or any other sport. But when it comes to bilateral engagements, the government position is known to all." The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has requested clearance from its government to participate in the two tournaments in India, but it remains uncertain if approval has been granted. The sports minister confirmed, 'We have told Pakistan that we will grant them visas for the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup hockey tournaments, but it is up to their government now to decide whether to send teams or not. We have no problem." 'Both are international tournaments and every team participating will be accorded the same treatment," he added. The Asia Cup is set to be held in Rajgir from August 27 to September 7, while the Junior World Cup is scheduled from November 28 to December 10. The government's decision to allow Pakistan is based on the Olympic Charter, which prohibits denying participation due to political reasons. Such an act can lead to suspension of future hosting rights for that country. India is currently in the race to host the 2036 Olympic Games and the 2030 Commonwealth Games. In cricket, India and Pakistan only play each other in global or continental tournaments with bilateral ties suspended. Earlier this year, the Champions Trophy was held in Hybrid Model after India refused to travel to Pakistan for the tournament. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 17:04 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Express Tribune
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
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 ( "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.
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.
