Latest news with #HockeyMen'sJuniorWorldCup
The Hindu
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Asia Cup 2025: Uncertainty around Pakistan's participation continues with two months to go
The draw for the Hockey Men's Junior World Cup on Saturday placed India and Pakistan together in the same Pool, but the latter's participation remains doubtful. While the tournament is scheduled to be held in November-December, the Asia Cup in August-September will give a clearer indication of how things might pan out. As a 2026 World Cup qualifying event, the Asia Cup in Rajgir holds importance for continental teams, but ongoing tensions between the two countries mean Pakistan is unlikely to travel to India. Although recent reports in Pakistan have claimed PHF officials saying they would be participating and are preparing accordingly, there is no confirmation from either the FIH, Asian Hockey Federation or Hockey India. HI President Dilip Tirkey reiterated that they would follow government directives on the matter, and no alternate scenarios are being considered at the moment. ALSO READ | FIH Pro League 2024-25: Indian women on the brink of relegation after 3-0 loss to China 'We are constantly in contact with the government and have apprised them of everything. We will follow whatever the government instructs, and cannot preempt anything at the moment. Once we get that, we will inform the AHF,' Tirkey told Sportstar. Asked if the competition would proceed with the remaining seven teams or an alternative team would be invited to replace Pakistan if it doesn't travel, Tirkey insisted it was up to the AHF. 'This is a continental meet, and AHF will be the right authority to take that call. But that is a hypothetical situation that we cannot comment on till there is any decision by the government,' he reiterated. Interestingly, HI secretary general Bholanath Singh, in Laussane for the MJWC draw, is also an AHF vice-president. Any decision on allowing Pakistan to travel for the Asia Cup is likely to reflect on its chances of participation in the MJWC as well. Related Topics India
The Hindu
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Uncertainty continues around Pakistan's participation in Asia Cup hockey
The draw for the Hockey Men's Junior World Cup on Saturday (MJWC) placed India and Pakistan together in the same Pool but the latter's participation remains doubtful. While the MJWC is scheduled to be held in November-December, the Asia Cup in August-September will give a clearer indication of how things might pan out. As a 2026 World Cup qualifying event, the Asia Cup in Rajgir holds importance for continental teams but ongoing tensions between the two countries mean Pakistan is unlikely to travel to India. Although recent reports in Pakistan have claimed the PHF officials saying they would be participating and are preparing accordingly, there is no confirmation from either the FIH, Asian Hockey Federation or Hockey India. HI president Dilip Tirkey reiterated that it would follow government directives on the matter and no alternate scenarios are being considered at the moment. 'We are constantly in contact with the government and have appraised them of everything. We will follow whatever the government instructs, cannot pre-empt anything at the moment. Once we get that, we will inform the AHF,' Tirkey told The Hindu. Asked if the competition would proceed with the remaining seven teams or an alternative team would be invited to replace Pakistan if it doesn't travel, Tirkey insisted it was up to the AHF. 'This is a continental meet and AHF will be the right authority to take that call. But that is a hypothetical situation that we cannot comment on till there is any decision by the government,' he reiterated. Interestingly, HI secretary general Bholanath Singh, in Laussane for the MJWC draw, is also an AHF vice-president. Any decision on allowing Pakistan to travel for the Asia Cup is likely to reflect on its chances of participation in the MJWC as well.
India Gazette
19 hours ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
India, Pakistan in same pool for Hockey Men's Junior World Cup to be held in Tamil Nadu
Lausanne [Switzerland], June 28 (ANI): India and Pakistan are in the same pool for the expanded International Hockey Federation (FIH) Hockey Men's Junior World Cup, to be held in Tamil Nadu. The draw was held on Saturday in Lausanne, Switzerland and six pools of the upcoming tournament were determined. The tournament will be featuring 24 teams for the first time, a release said. The FIH Hockey Men's Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu, India 2025 will be played in Chennai and Madurai, India, from November 28, to December 10 FIH President Tayyab Ikram participated in the draw ceremony along with Bhola Nath Singh, Hockey India secretary general and RK Srivastava, Hockey India Director General. Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland Pool B: India, Pakistan, Chile, Switzerland Pool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, China Pool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Namibia Pool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh Tayyab Ikram said the World Cup also brings with it the opportunity to enhance India's hockey infrastructure 'It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup. It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that,' he said. 'This World Cup also brings with it the opportunity to enhance our hockey infrastructure, and in the city of Madurai, introduce a new state-of-the-art hockey stadium,' he added. Bhola Nath Singh extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his resolute support to hockey and its players across the nation. 'We also express our sincere thanks to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin ji, for his committed vision in promoting hockey both in Tamil Nadu and beyond,' he said. Germany is the current Junior Men's World Champion, having defeated France 2-1 in the final of the 2023 edition to win a record-extending seventh title. (ANI)
