Pakistan are likely to miss the Men’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy in India after the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) declined to send the national team over security concerns, sources said on Thursday.
Bangladesh are expected to take Pakistan’s place in the six-team tournament, and the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) is expected to announce the decision formally on Friday, Geo News reported, citing sources.
India are due to host the event from October 27 to November 5, with matches in Jalandhar and Mohali.
Request for neutral venue refused
The PHF had asked for the tournament, or at least Pakistan’s matches, to be moved to a neutral venue. Hockey India rejected the request, saying there would be no change to the schedule or the venues.
The PHF then told the AHF that, given the prevailing circumstances, it was not willing to send the national team to India.
PHF: safety and dignity first
PHF President Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said the decision was taken in view of the sensitive bilateral situation and security concerns between the two countries, and that the safety and dignity of Pakistan’s players and officials were the federation’s priority.
Wani reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Asian Champions Trophy and to the development of the sport. He said the national team remained ready to play all FIH member nations, including India, and stressed that sport should be kept separate from politics.
India’s position
The move came a day after Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Pakistan was expected to take part. He said India’s policy allows neighbouring countries to compete in multinational events, while bilateral series between India and Pakistan remain restricted.
“There is no problem in multinational tournaments. Maybe individual series between India and Pakistan cannot take place,” Mann said.
Not the first withdrawal
Pakistan also pulled out of last year’s Junior Hockey World Cup in Tamil Nadu, citing heightened tensions between the two countries. Relations have stayed tense since the brief military conflict between Pakistan and India in May 2025.
About the tournament
The Asian Champions Trophy is run by the Asian Hockey Federation and has traditionally been held every year, although no edition was staged last year. India will defend the title they won in Chennai in 2023 and retained in Hulunbuir, China, in 2024.
Pakistan’s recent form
The decision comes soon after Pakistan’s men won bronze at the Asian Games in Japan, Dawn reported. They came from 3-1 down to beat South Korea 5-3 on October 3, with Rana Waheed scoring twice late on, a day after losing a dramatic semi-final to India 4-3. Pakistan last won Asian Games hockey gold in 2010 and silver in 2014.
Why it matters
The likely withdrawal is another example of India-Pakistan tensions spilling over into sport. Pakistan’s position is that it is willing to play India anywhere, including at a neutral venue, but cannot send its players to India while security concerns remain, a request Hockey India has refused.
This article draws on reporting by Geo News and Dawn.
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