Latest news with #HarmanpreetSingh-led
Hans India
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Pakistan can visit India for Hockey Asia Cup: Sports Ministry sources
New Delhi: Amid the growing uncertainty over Pakistan's participation in the upcoming Men's Hockey Asia Cup in India next month, the Sports Ministry sources have confirmed that their team will be allowed to cross the border for the continental tournament. However, they also added that final approval regarding the same will be issued by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. "We have no objection to Pakistan coming to play in the Hockey Asia Cup in India, as it is a multi-national event. However, I must clarify that matters related to visas fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Their decision will be final," said sources from the Sports Ministry. Rajgir, a historic city in Bihar, will host the Men's Asia Cup 2025 from August 29 to September 9 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22 that claimed 26 lives, Pakistan's men's hockey team's participation in the continental tournament was in jeopardy due to strained diplomatic relations between the neighbouring countries. The Men's Asia Cup 2025 will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, set to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The winner of the tournament will earn a coveted spot in the World Cup. Moreover, India will also host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, which will be played in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. They were grouped with archrivals India in Pool B in the expanded 24-team tournament. Pakistan's men's hockey team last visited India in 2023 when the latter hosted the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team outclassed Malaysia 4-3 in the final to claim a record fourth title. Pakistan recently participated in the FIH Nations Cup in Malaysia, where it finished runners-up to New Zealand, who qualified for the FIH Pro League 2026-27 season.
News18
30-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
HI Contacts Gov: 'Don't Think Pakistan Will Be Allowed In Men's Hockey Asia Cup'
Last Updated: Pakistan's participation in the Men's Hockey Asia Cup in India is uncertain due to the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan's participation in the Men's Asia Cup in India is uncertain due to increased demands for their exclusion following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. According to a Hockey India official, discussions with the government are ongoing, and a final decision is pending. Rajgir, a historic city in Bihar, will host the Men's Asia Cup 2025 from August 29 to September 9 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. The recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, has put Pakistan's participation in jeopardy. With less than two months remaining for the tournament, Hockey India is still awaiting government clearance for Pakistan's arrival. 'We are in contact with the government, and we will follow whatever instructions it provides. As for the current situation, I don't think the Pakistan team will be allowed to participate," a Hockey India official was quaoted as saying to IANS when asked about the strife-torn nation's participation in the Asia Cup, in August. The Men's Asia Cup 2025 will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The tournament winner will secure a spot in the World Cup. India will also host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025 in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. Pakistan's participation in the junior event is also in doubt due to calls for their exclusion following the Pahalgam attack. They were grouped with archrivals India in the expanded 24-team tournament. Pakistan's men's hockey team last visited India in 2023 for the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team defeated Malaysia 4-3 in the final to claim a record fourth title. If everything goes according to plan, the Asia Cup 2025 will feature India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the UAE. The UAE remains the leading contender to host the tournament. There are discussions about holding the Asia Cup in a hybrid model. Although India is the designated host for the tournament this year, the ACC had previously decided that whenever it is India's or Pakistan's turn to host the Asia Cup, the competition would be held at a neutral venue. First Published: June 30, 2025, 15:12 IST
NDTV
30-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
"Don't Think Pakistan Will Be Allowed": Hockey India Official Clears Asia Cup Stance
As Pakistan's participation in the hockey Men's Asia Cup in India is uncertain due to growing calls for their exclusion following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, a Hockey India official said that talks with the government are in progress in the matter, and the final decision will be taken after that. Rajgir, a historic city in Bihar, will host the Men's Asia Cup 2025 from August 29 to September 9 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Pakistan men's hockey team participation in the continental tournament is in jeopardy. With less than two months left for the tounament, the Hockey India is still awaiting government clearance for Pakistan men's hockey team's arrival in the country. "We are in contact with the government, and we will follow whatever instructions it provides. As for the current situation, I don't think the Pakistan team will be allowed to participate," a Hockey India official told IANS when asked about the strife-torn nation's participation in the Asia Cup, in August. The Men's Asia Cup 2025, will serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, set to be hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The winner of the tournament will earn a coveted spot in the World Cup. Moreover, India will also host the FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup 2025, which will be played in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. Pakistan's participation in the junior event in India is also in doubt due to the groundswell of demand for excluding them in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack. They were grouped with archrivals India in the expanded 24-team tournament. Pakistan men's hockey team last visited India in 2023 when the latter hosted the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Harmanpreet Singh-led Indian team beat Malaysia 4-3 in the final to claim a record fourth title.
Hans India
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
India eyeing maximum points from Pro League to secure direct WC berth
Amstelveen: The Indian men's hockey team will look to produce its best and earn maximum points from the European leg of the FIH Pro League in a bid to secure a direct qualification to next year's World Cup. The next World Cup will be jointly hosted by Belgium and Netherlands. The Harmanpreet Singh-led side is currently placed third in the FIH Pro League standings with 15 points from eight matches, behind Belgium (16) and England (16). Good results in the upcoming eight matches of the European leg can propel India to the top, which means a direct berth in the World Cup. India played the home leg of the ongoing Pro League in Bhubaneswar earlier this year, where they raked up 15 points with five wins in eight games. In the European leg, first up for India is hosts Netherlands here on Saturday followed by the return leg match on June 9. The Indians will next play Argentina here on June 11 and 12, followed by matches against Australia (June 14, 15) and Belgium (June 21, 22). India will be led by talismanic dragflicker Harmanpreet, while midfield mainstay Hardik Singh will be his deputy. The Indians will take on Belgium at their home turf in Antwerp. Keeping the magnitude of the matches in mind, India have fielded an experienced 24-member squad for the leg. The Indian goal will be manned by Krishan Bahadur Pathak and Suraj Karkera, while the defence will be handled by the likes of Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet, Jugraj Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay and Nilam Sanjeep Xess among others. The midfield will be led by former skipper Manpreet Singh with current vice-captain Hardik, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Nilakanta Sharma, Shamsher Singh, Raj Kumar Pal and Rajinder Singh also doing duty in the middle. India boast of a strong strike force in Gurjant Singh, Abhishek, Shilanand Lakra, Mandeep Singh, Lalait Kumar Upadhyay, Dilpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh. Chief coach Craig Fulton has opted for experience instead of trying out youngsters.
