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Time of India
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
HI official clears the air on Pakistan's participation in Asia Cup hockey in India
NEW DELHI: A top official from has stated that the federation will adhere to the government's guidelines regarding Pakistan's participation in the upcoming , which India is hosting later this year. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This statement comes in the wake of recent military tensions between the two neighbouring countries following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. , the secretary general of Hockey India, clarified the federation's position, saying, "Whatever the government decides, we will abide by it. Till now, we didn't have talks with the government on this." He emphasised that the country's interests take precedence for the federation, stating, "The country comes first for us. Asia Cup is happening in India, and whatever the government advises us, we will abide by that." The Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in , Bihar, from August 27 to September 7, serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2024 men's FIH World Cup in the Netherlands and Belgium. Recently, a senior official from the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) revealed that they have requested the (AHF) to guarantee visas for their contingent to participate in the Asia Cup. Virat Kohli & Anushka Visit Vrindavan After Test Retirement | Meet Premanand Ji Maharaj Bholanath Singh, who also holds the position of AHF vice-president, reiterated his commitment to prioritising the country's honor, stating, "I am AHF (Asian Hockey Federation) vice-president, I am secretary general of Hockey India, but first I am a citizen of India. Whatever the country and the government decides, Hockey India will follow that. Posts are different, but country's honour comes first."
NDTV
20-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Hockey India To Follow Guidelines: Official On Pakistan's Asia Cup Participation
A top official of Indian hockey federation on Tuesday made it clear that it will follow government guidelines on Pakistan's participation in Asia Cup, which the country is hosting later this year, in the wake of the recent military conflict between the two nations. A ceasefire was agreed upon between the two countries after days of intense cross-border hostilities in the wake of the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people, following which the IPL too remained suspended for a brief period. When asked about Pakistan's participation in the upcoming tournament, Hockey India's (HI) secretary general Bholanath Singh said, "Whatever the government decides we will abide by it. Till now we didn't have talks with the government on this. "The country comes first for us. Asia Cup is happening in India, and whatever the government advises us, we will abide by that." The Asia Cup is scheduled to be held in Rajgir, Bihar from August 27 till September 7. Two days ago, a senior official in the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said it has asked the sport's continental body to guarantee visas for its contingent to participate in the Asia Cup, which is a qualifying tournament for next year's men's FIH World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. Bholanath added, "I am AHF (Asian Hockey Federation) vice-president, I am secretary general of Hockey India, but first I am a citizen of India. Whatever the country and the government decides, Hockey India will follow that. Posts are different, but country's honour comes first." Serious doubts though remain over Pakistan's participation in the Asia Cup because of the tensions between the two countries.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Asia Cup hockey under cloud after Pahalgam terror attack
The men's hockey Asia Cup, a 2026 FIH World Cup qualifier, is under cloud as Pakistan's participation in the tournament, to be held in Bihar, is uncertain following the Pahalgam terror attacks. Earlier this month, Hockey India had confirmed that Pakistan would travel across the border for the continental championship along with South Korea, Malaysia, China and Japan. However, in the aftermath of the terror attack, which claimed 26 lives and injured many more, the Indian government on Thursday ordered Pakistani nationals to leave the country and revoked visas. The move puts a question mark on Pakistan's presence at the Asia Cup, which is set to be held in Rajgir, Bihar, from August 29 to September 7. Asked if the matches involving Pakistan will be played at a neutral venue or whether they will be permitted to compete, a Hockey India source said they will 'wait and see how the situation evolves over the next few months'. 'It is too early for us to take any call. But one thing is clear, we will follow the government's policy, whatever it may be,' the source said. 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 co-hosted by the Netherlands and Belgium. India and Pakistan are seeking their fourth continental title, with South Korea — also the defending champions — winning the competition five times, more than any other country. Not just the Asia Cup, Pakistan's under-23 team is also scheduled to compete in the FIH Junior World Cup, which will be held in Chennai and Madurai towards the end of the year. It isn't uncommon for Pakistan's hockey team to travel to India for tournaments. In the last decade alone, the Green Shirts have made the trip across the border three times — for the 2014 Champions Trophy, 2018 World Cup and 2021 Junior World Cup. In 2023, Pakistan's football team played the South Asian Championship in India whereas India's tennis players made the trip to Islamabad last year for the Davis Cup. The frequent tours undertaken by teams from both countries are unlike the situation in cricket, where India and Pakistan have agreed to play matches involving them at neutral venues in ICC events held in either country.
