Pakistan’s Participation in Asian Champions Trophy Depends on Government Approval
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan’s participation in next month’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in India will depend on approval from the government, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) president Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani has said.
The statement came after Indian Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said Pakistan would take part in the tournament, which is scheduled to be held from October 27 to November 5.
Wani, who also serves as federal secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, said the PHF would follow the government’s decision regarding the national team’s participation.
“The visit of the Pakistan team will depend on government clearance. We will do whatever the government asks us to do,” Wani said.
He added that the statement from the Indian Punjab chief minister did not change the PHF’s position on the matter.
Pakistan-India Match Could Be a Major Attraction
According to reports, six teams are expected to participate in the Asian Champions Trophy: hosts India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea.
The league stage is scheduled to take place in Jalandhar, while the semi-finals and final will be played in Mohali.
Bhagwant Mann said a proposed Pakistan-India match on November 1 in Jalandhar could be one of the key attractions of the tournament. The match is also expected to coincide with Punjab Day.
Mann said that while India and Pakistan have sporting rivalries, international sport can provide an opportunity for competition between the two sides.
Bilateral and Multinational Events
India currently does not participate in bilateral sporting series against Pakistan due to tensions between the two countries. However, Indian officials have maintained that the two nations can compete in multinational tournaments in accordance with the Olympic Charter.
Pakistan previously withdrew from the Junior World Cup in Tamil Nadu last year, citing the heightened tensions between the two countries.
Hockey India secretary general Bhola Nath Singh, who attended the event alongside Mann, described relations between the hockey federations of India and Pakistan as positive.
Asian Champions Trophy Schedule
The Asian Champions Trophy is organised under the Asian Hockey Federation. The tournament was not held last year.
India are the defending champions after winning the 2023 edition in Chennai and the 2024 tournament in Hulunbuir, China. Pakistan participated in the 2023 competition.
The 2026 tournament is scheduled to begin in Jalandhar on October 27, with the final set to be played in Mohali on November 5.
Pakistan’s participation, however, will only be confirmed after the relevant government authorities provide the necessary clearance.
