Pakistan Hockey Federation unlikely to send team to India for Asia Cup, due to...
The Pakistan Hockey federation has informed the International Hockey Federation that they won't send the team to India for the Asia Cup next month, citing 'security concerns'
PHF President Tariq Bugti said that they have written to both the FIH and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), over sending team to India. 'We have informed them that in the existing scenario, our team will face security risks playing in India,' he said.
'We have informed them our players are also not keen to travel to India for the Asia Cup which is also a direct qualifying tournament,' he added.
The PHF said that now the decision is with the FIH and AHF to take the final call over the event and Pakistan's matches. 'We have asked them to let us know what guarantee is there that our players will be safe in India and will be able to focus on the tournament,' he said.
Tariq Bugti cites security concerns for not sending the team to India
Although the Pakistani government has not yet released an official statement on the matter, a senior government official recently declared that the team would not visit India.
Following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April, tensions between the neighboring nations grew, leading India to launch airstrikes that destroyed hostile elements threatening the country's security.
Although a ceasefire was reached after several days of conflict, the damage to mutual trust appears to be irreparable, with numerous sporting events subsequently affected.
Indian Sports Ministry has granted permission to Pakistan hockey team to play in India
The Pakistani hockey team has been given permission by the Indian Sports Ministry to compete in the Asia Cup, which is being held in India. The ministry clarified that it has no issues with any team participating in international competitions hosted in India, according to media reports. It did, however, insist that India and Pakistan would not participate in any bilateral athletic events. Since the Pahalgam attack in April, which killed 26 civilians, tensions between the two countries have been high.
Since the Asia Cup started in 2011, India has emerged victorious five times. South Korea's only victory came in Dhaka in 2021, while Pakistan has won the championship three times.
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