New Delhi, September 15 (Udaipur Kiran) : The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) has announced that the national team’s tour to India for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy is contingent upon government approval. PHF chief Mohiyuddin Ahmed Wani emphasized that the team’s participation will depend on directives from the government.
Scheduled to take place from October 27 to November 5 in Jalandhar and Mohali, the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy will feature teams from India, China, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, and Pakistan. Should Pakistan decide not to participate, Oman or Bangladesh may be given the opportunity to compete, as both are currently on standby as reserve teams.
According to a report from the Pakistani daily ‘Dawn’, Wani stated, “The tour of the Pakistan team will depend on government approval. We will comply with whatever the government instructs us to do.”
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann indicated on Monday that Pakistan is expected to visit India for the tournament, asserting that there should be no issues regarding the multinational event. He noted that while bilateral series between India and Pakistan are not feasible, participation in multinational events is permissible under the central government’s policy.
A memorandum released by the Sports Ministry on May 5 confirmed that Pakistani athletes and teams would be allowed to participate in multinational events hosted by India, alongside a more supportive visa system for athletes, officials, and representatives from international federations.
The league stage of the Asian Champions Trophy will be held in Jalandhar from October 27 to November 2, with the semifinals on November 4 and the final on November 5. A much-anticipated match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for November 1, coinciding with Punjab Day, which Chief Minister Mann described as a highlight of the tournament. He remarked, “The match on November 1 will be a major attraction for the tournament, making it even more special for the people of Punjab. While there may be competition on the hockey field, the sport has its own language.”
Pakistan did not participate in last year’s Junior Hockey World Cup and the Senior Men’s Hockey Asia Cup held in India.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.