The Pakistan men’s hockey team’s scheduled visit to India for the upcoming Asia Cup in Rajgir is under serious doubt following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.
The attack, perpetrated by terrorists with “cross-border linkages,” has sparked outrage across India. In response, the Indian government has revoked visas issued to all Pakistani nationals, casting uncertainty over Pakistan’s participation in the Asia Cup, set to take place in Bihar’s Rajgir from August 27 to September 7, according to a report by Telecom Asia Sport.
The tournament, featuring eight teams, serves as a crucial qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
Amid heightened tensions, several prominent voices in India have called for a complete severance of ties with Pakistan — including sporting connections. This sentiment has fuelled speculation in Pakistani media about whether the Indian government will allow the Pakistan hockey team to compete in the Asia Cup.
Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) General Secretary Rana Mujahid expressed doubts about the tour materializing.
“We have good relations with Hockey India, but participation in the Asia Cup is a government-to-government matter. We will approach our government for permission. If they grant approval, we will go; if not, there is no possibility,” Mujahid told Telecom Asia Sport from Lahore.
“Given the current situation — with India revoking all Pakistani visas — how can our team visit? That’s the reality. We will wait for our government’s direction,” he added.
On the Indian side, Hockey India General Secretary Bhola Nath Singh adopted a cautious approach, saying the federation will wait for instructions from the central government.
“We haven’t had any discussions about the tournament yet. We’ll wait to hear from the government and decide accordingly,” Singh told Telecom Asia Sport.
Pakistan’s hockey teams have participated in FIH-sanctioned tournaments in India on three occasions in the past decade — the 2016 Junior World Cup in Lucknow, the 2018 Men’s World Cup, and the 2021 Junior World Cup, both held in Bhubaneswar.
(With IANS inputs)
