Latest news with #Men'sHockeyAsiaCup
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
'Don't Confirm Participation In Indian Events': Pakistan Sports Board To Federations
Last Updated: All national sports federations have to seek clearance from the PSB before making any commitment, promise, or announcement about participation in competitions hosted on Indian soil In a significant move reflecting the strained political climate between the two nations, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has issued a stern directive to all its national sports federations: do not confirm participation in any event in India without explicit prior consultation and approval from the board. This decision, formalised during the 34th meeting of the PSB on July 23, comes amid what the board terms 'prevailing security concerns" and 'regional sensitivities". The directive, issued via a circular, makes it mandatory for all national sports federations to seek clearance from the PSB before making any commitment, promise, or announcement regarding participation in competitions hosted on Indian soil. The decision arrives in the wake of escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, notably following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22, which claimed 26 civilian lives. India has held Pakistan-backed terrorists responsible for the incident, while Islamabad has vehemently denied the accusations. This led to a series of diplomatic measures and a brief military conflict in May, although a ceasefire was later announced after Pakistan reached out for talks. The immediate impact of this directive is evident in several upcoming sporting events. Pakistan's national men's hockey team had already withdrawn from the Men's Hockey Asia Cup, scheduled to be held in Rajgir, India, from August 27 to September 7, citing 'serious security threats". There are also reports that Pakistan will not participate in the Junior World Cup in India in November. Furthermore, the issue of Indian and Pakistani teams playing against each other in multi-nation tournaments continues to be a point of contention. While bilateral series remain suspended since the 2008 Mumbai attacks, events like the Asia Cup cricket tournament are now being moved to neutral venues, with the 2025 edition set for the UAE in September, as confirmed by the Asian Cricket Council president Mohsin Naqvi. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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
Express Tribune
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
NZ outplay Pak to win Nations Cup
A view of the New Zealand versus Pakistan hockey final of the FIH Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. NZ proved much superior to Pak on the day, winning 6-2. PHOTO: AFP New Zealand emerged victorious in the final of the FIH Nations Cup by 6-2 on Saturday, defeating Pakistan to secure the coveted title and a place in the next season of the FIH Pro League. New Zealand made a spirited start to the summit clash as they found the back of the net twice but were disallowed on both occasions. They eventually struck their first goal in the sixth minute as Scott Coslett successfully converted the penalty corner. New Zealand doubled their lead in the last minute of the first quarter, courtesy of a precise field goal by Sam Hiha. They were even more ruthless in the subsequent quarter as they netted their third through Dylan Thomas within two minutes. Sean Findlay scored a sensational field goal in the next minute, putting New Zealand in complete control, while Scott Boyde made it 5-0 with just under four minutes to the halftime. Pakistan eventually scored their first goal in the fifth minute of the third quarter when Zikriya Hayat breached New Zealand's defence to smash the ball at the back of the net. The green shirts got five penalty corners in the penultimate quarter but failed to convert, meaning the scoreline remained intact at 5-1. The final quarter saw both teams going hard at each other and it appeared that the scoreline would remain intact but New Zealand were awarded a penalty corner, which Coslett converted comprehensively. Pakistan also scored in the next minute with Sufyan Khan converting a penalty corner but it was far from enough to pull Pakistan back as New Zealand registered a thumping 6-2 victory. The victory propelled New Zealand to the FIH Pro League. Pak hockey captain wants Asia Cup shifted from India Pakistan hockey captain Imad Shakeel Butt has raised serious concerns about the upcoming 2025 Men's Hockey Asia Cup, calling on the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) to shift the event away from India due to ongoing political tensions between the two countries. The tournament, scheduled to be held from August 27 to September 7, 2025, in Rajgir, Bihar, serves as a direct qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup and, for Pakistan, it's a vital opportunity to secure a spot on global hockey's biggest stage. But the captain fears the political climate could affect fair participation. "The Asia Cup is crucial for us. Given the current political situation, we strongly believe the venue should be reconsidered to ensure fair participation and a neutral environment," said Imad Butt while addressing the media on Wednesday. His statement comes amid growing uncertainty over whether Pakistan will even be granted entry into India for the tournament. Reports, though not officially confirmed, have suggested that Indian authorities may delay or deny visas to the Pakistani team, citing security reasons. The 2025 Hockey Asia Cup is not the only sporting event expected to come under scrutiny due to Pakistan-India tensions. The 2025 Cricket Asia Cup is also under a cloud, while the Women's ODI World Cup is expected to carry high tensions as it is set to take place in India as well. Pakistan and India share an intense rivalry in hockey, but off-field politics have frequently cast a shadow on their matchups. With just a few months to go before the Asia Cup, questions remain about whether the tournament can go ahead smoothly if hosted in India — particularly if Pakistan's participation is in doubt. For now, all eyes are on the Asian Hockey Federation, as Pakistan awaits a decision that could impact their road to the 2026 World Cup.
