Hockey: Pakistan hockey team will be allowed to compete in Asia Cup in India says Sports Ministry
Pakistan cleared to participate in 2025 Asia Cup
Following the recent escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan stemming from the Pahalgam attacks in April, sporting events between the two nations were thrust into major doubt, with many Indians calling for all future matches between the countries to be called off.
However, in a major turn of events, the Pakistan national hockey team is now set to travel to India next month to participate in the 2025 Asia Cup as well as the Junior Hockey World Cup, for which India is among the favourites, according to many of the best betting sites.
The news broke last week after the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Sports Ministry jointly agreed to provide the Pakistan national team clearance to attend the competition, which is scheduled to take place in Bihar from August 27 to September 7. A source from the India Sports Ministry said:
"We are not against any team competing in India in a multi-national competition. But bilateral is different. We are accommodating as many as possible in the state sports academy and a few in hotels and Nalanda University guesthouses - all in and around the vicinity of the field of play.”
India and Pakistan are expected to face off against each other at the Asia Cup next month, which promises to be a high-stakes battle, and if Pakistan are able to return to the FIH Pro League circuit, the two nations could cross paths again at the Asian Games and the World Cup.
Aside from Pakistan and host nation India, a total of six other teams will be arriving in Bihar over the coming days to begin preparation for the 12th edition of the tournament, including the likes of Japan, Korea, China, Chinese Taipei, Oman and Malaysia.
While Pakistan’s clearance to participate in the Asia Cup is promising for the future of sports between the nations, it remains to be seen if this will continue when the cricket Asia Cup closes in later this year.
Pakistan Asia Cup clearance receives mixed response
While the majority of Indian sports fans seem to be on board with allowing Pakistan to participate in the Asia Cup, there is still a large faction that is completely against the idea, including Indian news anchor, Arnab Goswami, who slammed the Indian government’s decision. He said:
"Why, if we don’t play cricket with them, do we want to play hockey? We refused to play the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and forced a shift to Dubai. Why should we welcome their hockey team here? They should not allowed to raise thier flag on Indian soil."
However, it wasn’t long before Pakistani journalist Faizan Lakhani fired back, labelling Goswami’s response as a “hate-mongering” approach to sports. Still, the Pakistan Hockey Federation has stated that they intend to participate in the competition despite the tensions, but added that they are awaiting their own government's approval.
