The Men’s Hockey Asia Cup is set to take place in India from 27 August – 7 September. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, it was earlier reported that the Pakistani hockey team not be participating in the tournament as India had denied permission to Pakistani nationals to visit India.
Now, it has been reported that Pakistan will send its hockey teams to India after reviewing the security situation for Asia Cup and Junior World Cup later this year.
Hockey Asia Cup: Pakistan Await Security Clearance
A top Pakistani government official has said that the national team will not be sent to India if there are security threats to them.
Rana Mashood, 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 post 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.
Earlier Pakistan had taken part in some international events in India.
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“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.
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The 2025 Men’s Hockey Asia Cup will be the 12th edition of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup, the quadrennial international men’s field hockey championship of Asia organized by the Asian Hockey Federation. It will be held in Rajgir, India from 27 August to 7 September 2025.
The winner will qualify for the 2026 Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. South Korea are the reigning champions.
