ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Pakistan hockey team’s tour of India next month to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy is contingent upon government permission.
Pakistan Hockey Federation President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani has stated that the decision regarding the national team’s tour of India and its participation in the Asian Champions Trophy will be made with the government’s approval.
Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani affirmed that the Pakistan Hockey Federation would abide by the government’s decision.
He reiterated that the team’s tour depends on government clearance, and the Federation will act in accordance with whatever decision the government reaches.
Wani added that the statement made by Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann regarding Pakistan’s participation in the Asian Champions Trophy has no bearing on the Pakistan Hockey Federation’s stance.
According to a Press Trust of India (PTI) report, Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had stated that Pakistan would be among the six teams participating in the Asian Champions Trophy.
Speaking at an event in Mohali, he remarked that while there are no issues with participating in multi-nation tournaments, bilateral series between India and Pakistan might not be feasible.
The Asian Champions Trophy is scheduled to take place in India from October 27 to November 5, featuring teams from hosts India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.
The tournament’s league matches will be played in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and final will be held in Mohali.
Under India’s sports policy, bilateral sporting contests with Pakistan are banned due to tensions between the two nations; however, the Indian Ministry of Sports maintains that, in accordance with the Olympic Charter, the two countries are permitted to compete against each other in multi-nation tournaments.
Pakistan had withdrawn from the Junior World Cup held in Tamil Nadu last May due to escalating tensions between the two nations.
Bhagwant Mann stated that the match scheduled between India and Pakistan in Jalandhar on November 1st would be a major highlight of the tournament, coinciding with Punjab Day.
He remarked that while India and Pakistan share a fierce rivalry on the hockey field, sport has a language of its own.
Speaking on the occasion, Hockey India Secretary General Bhola Nath Singh described the relationship between the two countries’ hockey federations as excellent; the Asian Champions Trophy is being organized under the aegis of the Asian Hockey Federation.
The Asian Champions Trophy was not held last year, and India is the current defending champion. India won the 2023 edition in Chennai, in which Pakistan also participated, and successfully defended the title by winning the 2024 edition in Hulunbuir, China.
The tournament will kick off in Jalandhar on October 27, with the final scheduled to be played in Mohali on November 5.
