The Union government has reportedly cleared the way for Pakistan’s hockey teams to take part in the Men’s Asia Cup and the Men’s Junior World Cup, both tournaments taking place in India later this year.
The Men’s Hockey Asia Cup is scheduled to take place in Rajgir, Bihar, from 27 August to 7 September.
Pakistan will also participate in the Men’s Junior Hockey World Cup that will be taking place in Chennai and Madurai in Tamil Nadu from 28 November to 10 December.
“We are not against any team competing in India in a multi-national competition. But bilateral is different. International sports demand that we cannot back out from competing. Russia and Ukraine are at war, but they show up at multi-national events,” media reports quoted a Sports Ministry source as having said on Thursday.
Pakistan’s hockey team last toured India in 2023, when they finished fifth in the Asian Champions Trophy.
8 teams to lock horns in Asia Cup
As far as the Asia Cup is concerned, a total of eight teams, including India and Pakistan, are set to participate. India qualified for the tournament as hosts, while five other teams – China, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea – also qualified. Oman and Chinese Taipei qualified for the tournament by making it to the final of the AHF Cup earlier this year in April.
The Asia Cup is massive for all participating teams as the winner of the tournament will qualify for the Men’s FIH Hockey World Cup that is scheduled to be played next year.
