Pakistan Doubtful For Asia Cup Hockey In India After Pahalgam Fallout
The national federation is awaiting a government advisory but Pakistan's participation in this year's Hero Asia Cup hockey tournament in India is in serious doubt because of the prevalent tension between the two countries after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Asia Cup will be staged in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 to September 7. Hosts India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea, China, Malaysia, Oman and Chinese Taipei are scheduled to participate in the 12th edition of the continental showpiece, a qualifying tournament for next year's World Cup to be held in Netherlands and Belgium.
"It is too early to say anything but we will follow the government's directive on this issue, which has been the case in the past," HI secretary general Bholanath Singh told PTI.
"We can't predict anything right now especially after the recent barbaric Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor that India conducted following that.
"There is still close to three months for the tournament but we will abide by what our government suggests us. There are no two ways about it." In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and injured many, the government ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country and revoked their visas.
A fortnight after the gruesome incident, India responded launched 'Operation Sindoor' and carried out missile strikes on terrorist hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
This led to further escalation as Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks, which were neutralised by India's robust air defence system. India responded by hitting military installations and air defence systems located in prominent Pakistani cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi among others.
The two countries agreed to a ceasefire on May 10 after Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations reached out to his Indian counterpart.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation, made it clear that any engagement with Pakistan will hinge on clear evidence of action against terrorism by that country.
"If the government advisory does not give an all clear than Pakistan won't travel to India. It all depends on the government position at that time," a federation source told PTI.
In case Pakistan doesn't get the nod to travel to India, the decision to make the tournament a six-team affair or bring in a new team to fill the vacant slot, will be entirely in the hands of the Asian Hockey Federation.
"It's very hard to predict right now whether a new team will be added in such a scenario or it will be a six team tournament. The Asian Hockey Federation will take a call on this," the official said on condition of anonymity.
The last time a Pakistan hockey team did not compete in a multi-nation event in India was the 2016 Junior World Cup, which took place a few months after a terror attack at the Pathankot air base.
Malaysia had replaced the Pakistani team in that event.
The current scenario has also put a question mark on Pakistan's participation in the upcoming Junior World Cup to be held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10.
The Asia Cup assumes high significance as it is a World Cup qualifier, with the winner earning a direct spot for next year's mega-event that will be held in the Belgian city of Wavre and Netherland's Amstelveen from August 14 to 30.
Five-time winners South Korea are the defending champions with both India and Pakistan seeking their fourth Asia Cup title. PTI SSC PM SSC PM PM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
Farooq Abdullah takes ride in Kashmir's Vande Bharat train, says will boost tourism
Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and president of the ruling National Conference (NC), Dr Farooq Abdullah, said on Tuesday that the train service to Kashmir Valley will boost tourism and the local economy. Dr Farooq Abdullah said this after boarding the Vande Bharat train from Srinagar to Katra. He told reporters before boarding the train, 'I am very happy that I am travelling by this train to Katra today. It has been the biggest benefit for us.' He said that since the train service connects Kashmir with the rest of the country, it will boost tourism as well as the local economy. 'It is a reliable transport link for the people of the Valley. The road between Srinagar and Jammu gets closed sometimes, and the airlines start fleecing the people by jacking up the prices. With this train, people will be saved from that. This will also prove to be beneficial to the horticulture sector in Kashmir as the produce will reach the markets faster', he said. After reaching Katra, he could not hide his happiness and said, "I'm so happy that tears welled up in my eyes. Has that day really come when I can travel from Kashmir to the rest of India by train?... I want to congratulate all the workers and engineers who built the highest railway bridge in India...' He was accompanied by several party colleagues, who joined his journey from Srinagar to Katra town of Reasi district in Jammu division. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Vande Bharat train service from Katra to Srinagar on June 6. The Vande Bharat train takes three hours to reach Katra from Srinagar and vice versa. The dream railway link to Kashmir Valley from Katra has 37 tunnels and scores of bridges, including the Chenab Railway Bridge, which is the World's tallest railway bridge standing 35 metres taller than the Eiffel Tower of Paris. The railway link also includes the Anji cable-stayed railway bridge, which is India's first cable-stayed railway bridge. The Vande Bharat train has been especially designed for the weather and topography of the region. It offers a modern and enhanced travel experience with features like fast acceleration, a high-speed operation of up to 160 km/hr, and a range of amenities. These include comfortable seating, mobile charging sockets, onboard catering and enhanced safety features. Safety and Security features include KAVACH signalling technology, CCTV cameras in all coaches, emergency push buttons, talk-back units, fire extinguishers, and aerosol-based fire detection and suppression systems. Fully sealed gangways, automatic plug doors, reclining and ergonomic seats, mobile charging sockets, bio-vacuum toilets, sensor-based water taps, and a passenger information system. Onboard Catering includes a Mini pantry with provisions for a hot case, bottle cooler, deep freezer, and hot water boiler. The train has a Special lavatory for Divyangjan (physically challenged) passengers, emergency openable windows, and disaster lights in case of emergencies. Executive Class has revolving seats and premium seating with more leg space. The train has direct and diffused lighting for a pleasant ambience, Wi-Fi, smoke alarms, an odour control system, and a coach condition monitoring system.
Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
‘Have had no time to discuss in last 15 days': Supriya Sule sidesteps question on buzz over NCP factions reuniting
NCP (SP) working President Supriya Sule on Tuesday avoided a direct response on the speculation about the rival NCP factions coming together, saying she was busy with other responsibilities and had no time to discuss the party affairs. Asked if she is remembering 'dada' — her cousin and rival NCP head Ajit Pawar — on the Nationalist Congress Party's 26th foundation day on Tuesday, the Lok Sabha member told reporters that she has six brothers, and she remembers them every day. To a query on whether she will call Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar to wish him on the party's foundation day, Sule said, 'I speak to all my brothers on different occasions.' The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, split in July 2023 after nephew Ajit Pawar joined the then Shiv Sena-BJP coalition government. The party name and its clock symbol were given to the Ajit Pawar faction, while the one headed by the former Union agriculture minister was christened NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). There has been speculation that the two factions could be looking at burying the hatchet and reuniting. To a query on a section of the NCP (SP) having the same feeling and Sharad Pawar saying all decisions regarding the party will be taken by her, Sule said, 'I have had no time to discuss the party affairs with party leaders or meet my family for the last 15 days.' Everyone has the right to express their views and opinions in a democracy, she added. 'NCP is an organisation founded by Sharad Pawar and is functional for 26 years. Everyone, whether they are with us or not, has contributed to the growth of the party. There was teamwork. I am remembering R R Patil, who is no more,' she said. Sule recently led a multi-party delegation and travelled to some of the foreign countries to convey India's stand following Operation Sindoor, the parliamentarian said she will be leaving in the afternoon for New Delhi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet members of multi-party delegations which travelled abroad
Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
Will Los Angeles protests disrupt World Cup and Olympics? Is FIFA relocating matches to Mexico and Canada?
Los Angeles, a key city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics, faces scrutiny amid nationwide immigration protests against President Trump's policies. Concerns are rising about how these tensions might impact preparations for the sporting events. Despite official assurances and exemptions for athletes, visa delays and travel bans have sparked worries about discouraging international participation. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Los Angeles, a key host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics , is facing fresh scrutiny as nationwide immigration crackdowns spark massive protests. With the city's streets erupting in backlash against President Trump's escalated immigration enforcement, concerns are growing about how this climate might affect preparations for two of the world's biggest sporting 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, with 48 nations competing in 104 matches. While early rounds will be spread across the three countries, all quarterfinals and beyond—including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—will be held in the recent ICE raids , visa delays, and travel bans—some affecting countries that recently qualified, such as Iran—have cast a shadow over the U.S. segment of the tournament. Critics argue the policies risk discouraging fans, players, and staff from traveling to the U.S., despite official exemptions for athletes and their immediate a recent event in New York, Meg Kane, CEO of the Philadelphia host committee, acknowledged that federal immigration actions have created 'uncertainty' in planning. 'We recognize that we're planning within uncertainty… but the [Trump] administration has been extremely supportive of the World Cup,' she was quoted as saying by the Guardian. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the tournament's global unifying that reassurance hasn't stopped speculation online. According to a Snopes fact-check, viral TikTok posts in June 2025 claimed that FIFA was considering relocating some U.S.-hosted matches to Mexico or Canada. The claim—unsupported by official statements—was based on user-generated content alleging FIFA had received widespread complaints from fans and teams unwilling to enter the U.S. under Trump-era immigration has not found evidence that FIFA is formally considering such a move, though it acknowledges the organization may be monitoring the situation Los Angeles continues its preparations for both the World Cup and the Olympics, officials must now navigate not just the logistics of hosting—but also the optics of welcoming the world amid escalating political and social tensions.
