ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Strong prospects have emerged for the Indian hockey team to visit Pakistan this year, according to media reports.
Pakistan is set to host the SCO Hockey Tournament in Islamabad this year under the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), with participation expected from all SCO member states, including India.
A Foreign Office statement confirmed that the SCO Hockey Tournament will take place at Islamabad’s Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium from November 20 to December 2, 2026, and preparations are currently underway.
A delegation of representatives from SCO member states visited the Naseer Bunda Hockey Stadium in Islamabad, where they were briefed on the event arrangements.
The delegation included India’s SCO coordinator, who, alongside representatives from other member nations, inspected the proposed tournament venue and the available facilities.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization comprises ten countries, including Pakistan and India, and the event is inviting hockey teams from all member states to participate. Should India confirm its participation, the Indian hockey team will visit Pakistan this year.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation has sent letters to the hockey federations of the relevant countries regarding participation in the SCO tournament, setting a deadline of October 10 for them to confirm their teams’ involvement.
While final confirmation of the Indian team’s participation is still pending, the likelihood of the Indian hockey team visiting Pakistan has increased following the visit to the venue by the Indian SCO coordinator.
