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Pakistan Hockey Team’s Asia Cup Campaign In Limbo After Pahalgam Terror Attack
The development has left the Pakistan hockey team’s visit to India for the men’s Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir later this year in doubt as tensions between the two countries escalate.
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In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 27 lives, the strain ties between Pakistan and India have hit another low. Indian authorities have accused Pakistan-sponsored terrorists of the assault on innocent civilians in India’s northern province of Jammu and Kashmir.
The development has left the Pakistan hockey team’s visit to India for the men’s Asia Cup to be held in Rajgir later this year in doubt as tensions between the two countries escalate.
One of the steps that India has taken to respond to the attack is revoking visas issued to all Pakistani nationals. The Indian authorities have asked all Pakistani citizens to leave India at the earliest. This move has put the Pakistan hockey team’s scheduled visit to India for the Asia Cup in August under cloud.
Pakistan is part of the eight-team men’s hockey Asia Cup scheduled to be played in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7.
Pakistan Hockey Team’s Visit To India For Asia Cup In Doubt
Rana Mujahid, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) general secretary, is uncertain about the team getting to travel to India for the continental event following the recent developments.
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“We have good relations with Hockey India, but about the team’s visit, it’s a government-to-government issue. We will request our government, and if they allow then we will participate, but if they reject our request then there is no chance.
“You are aware of the recent situation. The Indian government has revoked visas of all Pakistanis in India then how will our team be able to visit India in such a scenario? Everything aside, we will ask our government about the tour,” Mujahid told www.telecomasia.net from Lahore.
Meanwhile, Hockey India’s general secretary Bhola Nath Singh told Telecom Asia Sport that his federation will wait and watch the situation before approaching the government for permission.
“We haven’t had any discussion on the tournament. We will wait for what our government has to say on this. Will take a decision at an appropriate time,” he said.
Also Read: Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 Venue Announced; List Of Teams To Take Part
The Asia Cup tournament is significant for all teams as it is a qualifying event for the 2026 Hockey World Cup which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. It will be a huge blow to Pakistan if it misses the tournament.
Previously, Pakistan hockey teams have visited India for FIH-level events on three occasions since the Champions Trophy in 2014. The Junior Men’s World Cup in Lucknow in 2016, the Hockey World Cup in 2018, and the Junior World Cup in 2021 in Bhubaneswar.
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