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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Indian government open to Pakistan participation in global sports events
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has reaffirmed India's unwavering position on sporting relations with Pakistan, drawing a clear line between international tournaments and bilateral engagements. Speaking to media ahead of key upcoming events, the minister stressed that India has no issue competing against Pakistan in multi-nation events, but bilateral series are off the table due to long-standing geopolitical tensions. Global tournaments are fine, bilateral matches are not Mandaviya clarified that India will continue to face Pakistan in international competitions, where multiple countries participate. 'When it comes to global events, India is open to playing all nations, including Pakistan,' he said. However, he made it equally clear that bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan remain suspended. 'The government's position is well known, we do not support bilateral sports events with a country that promotes terrorism,' Mandaviya stated, underlining that national security remains the priority. India is set to host two major hockey events, the Asia Cup 2025 and the Junior Hockey World Cup, and Pakistan's participation has drawn attention. Mandaviya confirmed that India will issue visas to Pakistani teams for these multi-nation tournaments, should their government approve travel. 'We've told Pakistan that we have no objection to their participation and will issue visas. It is now up to their government to decide whether they want to send their teams,' he explained. The Hockey Asia Cup is scheduled from August 27 to September 7 in Rajgir, Bihar, serving as a qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup in Amsterdam. The Junior World Cup is also set to take place in India later this year. India maintains open stance for multilateral events Mandaviya's remarks reaffirm India's consistent approach of supporting international sporting collaboration, but only within a multilateral context. While Indian athletes will share the field with Pakistani counterparts in global events, no standalone bilateral series are on the horizon until substantial changes occur in the geopolitical climate.
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Business Standard
15-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
India says no to bilateral sports with Pakistan over security issues
Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has reaffirmed India's unwavering position on sporting relations with Pakistan, drawing a clear line between international tournaments and bilateral engagements. Speaking to media ahead of key upcoming events, the minister stressed that India has no issue competing against Pakistan in multi-nation events, but bilateral series are off the table due to long-standing geopolitical tensions. Global tournaments are fine, bilateral matches are not Mandaviya clarified that India will continue to face Pakistan in international competitions, where multiple countries participate. 'When it comes to global events, India is open to playing all nations, including Pakistan,' he said. However, he made it equally clear that bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan remain suspended. 'The government's position is well known, we do not support bilateral sports events with a country that promotes terrorism,' Mandaviya stated, underlining that national security remains the priority. Pakistan invited for upcoming hockey tournaments in India India is set to host two major hockey events, the Asia Cup 2025 and the Junior Hockey World Cup, and Pakistan's participation has drawn attention. Mandaviya confirmed that India will issue visas to Pakistani teams for these multi-nation tournaments, should their government approve travel. 'We've told Pakistan that we have no objection to their participation and will issue visas. It is now up to their government to decide whether they want to send their teams,' he explained. The Hockey Asia Cup is scheduled from August 27 to September 7 in Rajgir, Bihar, serving as a qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup in Amsterdam. The Junior World Cup is also set to take place in India later this year. India maintains open stance for multilateral events Mandaviya's remarks reaffirm India's consistent approach of supporting international sporting collaboration — but only within a multilateral context. While Indian athletes will share the field with Pakistani counterparts in global events, no standalone bilateral series are on the horizon until substantial changes occur in the geopolitical climate.
Straits Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Pakistan won't send hockey teams to India, say government sources
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Pakistan will not travel to India for upcoming hockey tournaments over "security" concerns. KARACHI – Pakistan will not travel to India for upcoming hockey tournaments over 'security' concerns, government sources told AFP on July 12, potentially jeopardising their place at the 2026 Hockey World Cup. The nuclear-armed neighbours traded the worst violence in decades during a four-day conflict in May that killed 70 people. Pakistan was due to participate in the Men's Asia Cup for hockey to be hosted by India in August and September, for which the federation had sought the government's clearance. 'After the recent war, the security and safety of our hockey players will be at risk,' said a sports ministry source, who asked not to be identified. Pakistan will also not participate in the Junior World Cup in India in November, the source said. Once a force in international hockey, with three Olympic gold medals and four world titles, Pakistan have slumped to 15th in the rankings. Not featuring in the Asia Cup will likely cost Pakistan a place in the 2026 senior World Cup to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Government looking at enhancing laws around vaping to tackle issue of drug-laced vapes in Singapore Singapore Why the vape scourge in Singapore concerns everyone Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons Singapore Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys Business 29 Jollibean workers get help from MOM, other agencies, over unpaid salaries Asia Why China's high-end hotels are setting up food stalls outside their doors A second government source also confirmed the decision to AFP. Pakistan's foreign office has not responded to AFP's request for comment. India stalled all bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan in the wake of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which it blamed on militants based across the border. Cricket has been the most affected sport, with the two countries only meeting each other in multinational events abroad. India refused to visit Pakistan in 2025, when it hosted the Champions Trophy, forcing the final to be staged on neutral ground in Dubai. In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan will also not send its women's cricket team to India for the 50-over World Cup later in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026. They agreed instead to play their matches in Sri Lanka. Pakistan's hockey team last toured India for the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, finishing fifth amongst six teams. Meanwhile, over in India, the nation's top-flight football league, the Indian Super League, is on hold, the country's football federation (AIFF) announced on July 12, citing stalled negotiations for a contract renewal with their commercial partners, Reliance-led Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL). Talks to renew the 2010 agreement stalled after India's Supreme Court asked the AIFF not to renew their deal with FSDL until its order, the federation said. A case to implement a new constitution for the AIFF is ongoing at the country's Supreme Court. AFP, REUTERS
Daily Tribune
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
Pakistan Pulls Out of Hockey Tournaments in India Over Security Concerns
Pakistan has decided not to send its hockey teams to India for upcoming international tournaments, citing security concerns following recent tensions between the two countries, government sources told AFP on Saturday. The decision puts Pakistan's chances of qualifying for next year's Hockey World Cup at serious risk. Pakistan was expected to take part in the Men's Asia Cup scheduled for August and September in India. However, a source from the sports ministry said, 'After the recent war, the safety of our players cannot be guaranteed.' The country will also skip the Junior World Cup in India this November. Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in May during a deadly four-day conflict that left 70 people dead. In light of these events, the Pakistani government did not grant permission for its teams to travel. Once a dominant force in world hockey, Pakistan has seen its ranking fall to 15th. Skipping the Asia Cup may cost them a spot in the 2026 World Cup, set to be held in the Netherlands and Belgium. Another government official confirmed the withdrawal. The Foreign Office has yet to comment officially. Sporting relations between the two nations have been strained for years, especially after the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Since then, India has suspended most bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan. The countries only face each other in neutral venues during global events. Earlier this year, India refused to visit Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, leading to the final being held in Dubai instead. In response, Pakistan has now decided not to send its women's cricket team to India for the upcoming 50-over World Cup and the T20 World Cup in 2026. They will instead play those matches in Sri Lanka. Pakistan's men's hockey team last played in India during the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy, where they finished fifth out of six teams.
The Herald Scotland
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Great Scots coach who was ‘way ahead of his time' dies
Dennis was born in Aberdeen in 1940, the second of four brothers born to parents James and Elsie. All four played hockey, following the sporting path set by their father, who played for Aberdeen Hockey Club and whose creed was to ensure his boys played as many sports as possible. By a strange coincidence, Dennis shared his primary school years at Kittybrewster with another Denis. But that was about as close as Dennis Haw and Denis Law became despite playing in the same football and cricket teams. After primary school, it was off to Aberdeen Grammar School for Dennis, where his skills in hockey were soon recognised, with Scottish schools caps in 1957 and 1958 and selection for the North District men's team while still a schoolboy. After school, Dennis trained as a primary and PE teacher at Jordanhill College, Glasgow, and then worked in the city, playing for Western, out of which he won his first Scotland cap in 1964 against Ireland. He then held posts at Melville College in Edinburgh, Perth Grammar School, Drummond High School and Balerno High School. It was the start of a stellar Scotland international career that spanned 10 years, during which time he played at club level with Glasgow Western and then Inverleith in Edinburgh. In all, he won a record 63 caps for Scotland, a prodigious achievement at a time when there were far fewer international games than in the present era. Two years after winning his first cap, Dennis was selected for the GB squad's 1966 tour to Australia, a sporting experience that came at the personal financial cost of one-quarter of his teacher's annual salary. Read more Dennis also toured India with the GB squad, playing in front of a crowd of 30,000 in one game, and crowned a glittering hockey career by representing his country in the (infamous) 1972 Munich Olympics. Additionally, Dennis played for Scotland's indoor hockey squad, representing his country in the first European indoor championships qualifying tournament in Paris (1973) and the finals in Berlin (1974), playing alongside such luminaries as Chris Sutherland. His playing career was built not just on technical skills but on his ability to analyse moves. Dennis was the classic midfielder, able to read games skilfully and work out the tactical answers to achieving victory. It was this forensic mind, allied to good communication skills, that made coaching the next natural progression of his career in hockey. He was appointed to the role of coaching Scotland men at the European indoor championships in Novara (1975) and the finals in Arnhem (1976). Then, in 1982, Dennis began a six-year term as head coach of the Scotland ladies' team, the highlight of which was playing in the Hockey World Cup finals. Further recognition of his coaching abilities followed in 1988 when Dennis was asked to take charge of the GB ladies' squad for the Seoul Olympics, their fourth finishing place a testament to Dennis's skilful mentoring of the team. Four years later, he achieved unarguably the apogee of his coaching career when he led the GB ladies' squad to their bronze medal finish at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. After retiring from his teaching post at Balerno, he accepted the invitation to become director of coaching at Edinburgh University. There, he designed a multi-team programme and within a year Edinburgh University, whose status in hockey had diminished, was back in the top flight of the Scottish game. Dennis is survived by his wife Anne, three sons Alan, Brian and Neil, and four grandchildren. ALAN LORIMER
